Mounting monsoon toll

Despite repeated warnings regarding current monsoon spells, Pakistan has stayed firm in its avoidant stance towards disaster preparedness and risk mitigation. This inaction has now directly caused the deaths of 45 people across the country, of which 18 were children. The preposterous death toll has climbed within just a few days – well before the country has even reached the peak of the monsoon. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa recorded the highest number of fatalities, 31, followed by Punjab with 13, while 11 of the 45 total casualties were reported in Sindh and Balochistan.

Since Wednesday, rain-related incidents including electrocution, drowning, collapsed infrastructure and flash floods – the source of the highest number of casualties – have wreaked havoc across the country. While climate change plays its dedicated role in these incidents, many of the ghastly consequences of torrential rain can be mitigated through both structural and non-structural measures. But only if bureaucracy steps aside and makes space for them.

Reports throughout the year have continually highlighted a troubling reality – Asia is experiencing increased climate disasters as compared to the rest of the world, and Pakistan is one of the world's most vulnerable countries to climate change. This phenomenon, coupled with Pakistan's inefficiency at enacting early warning systems, carrying out drain clean-up operations, and executing awareness campaigns, is fatal at best, and extinctive at worst.

The national meteorological service has already warned citizens against the risk of possible flash floods in the coming week. Now more than ever, it is necessary for the federal and provincial authorities to implement strategic measures targeted towards disaster management. Not only can contingency planning play a substantial role in saving hundreds of lives every year, but it can also become the foundation for long-term disaster relief in the face of a worsening environment.