Monsoon mismanagement

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Monsoon and torrential rains are a common feature, but it seems our dilapidated infrastructure is untenable to stand the test of nature. That is what Punjab experienced in all adversity when deadly downpours wreaked havoc — submerging roads and slums, disrupting civic amenities and sweeping away small dams. The hardest-hit areas included the Potohar plateau, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, and Chakwal. Lahore faced flooding of its own, while Faisalabad, Okara, Sahiwal and Pakpattan were also severely affected.

Rawalpindi city and its adjoining areas were the prime victim as the twin-cities recorded their seven-year high rainfall of 254mm, flooding the prime drainage streams of Leh and Soan and making a mockery of a newly-constructed underpass in the federal capital. A lull in the downpour after 11 consecutive hours brought much-needed relief. Although rescue operations were underway, many were skeptical of how the district administration handled the situation — appearing unprepared and reactive. A school holiday was announced belatedly at 10:30 a.m. on the fateful day, further reflecting the lack of planning.

With, at least, six more spells of monsoon to come, the need of the hour is to be pre-emptive rather than being responsive to eventualities. The NDMA is poised with a task: it must learn from the 2022 floods and come out of slumber. Currently, Kalabagh and Chashma on the Indus River are experiencing medium-level flooding, while Tarbela Dam, and the Guddu and Sukkur barrages are witnessing low-level flood conditions.

The fact that a day-long spell has claimed more than 63 lives across Punjab, leaving behind hundreds of homes destroyed and killing livestock, is a disaster. It solicits some responsible rescue. There is also a lack of coordination among various state institutions responsible for disaster management and meteorological services. This is where thorough scrutiny and accountability are urgently needed. While this year's monsoon intensity is supposed to be 70% higher, a fool-proof roadmap to control flooding and manage the dams is indispensable.