Drowning in mismanagement

Rain: a curse or a blessing? As a nature lover, I believe it is a blessing. Unfortunately, the country I belong to, beautiful with its diverse weather and natural aesthetics, has been damaged by years of mismanagement. Nature, however, has its own way of doing justice when human beings play foul with it.

Normally, rainy weather brings joy, but in Pakistan, the reality is different. Rainwater often turns into a curse, bringing new hardships for people. Streets in both rural and urban areas become hazardous, paralysing daily life and movement. The cities most affected by rains are Karachi, Hyderabad and Swat. When these cities go underwater, lives are at risk. Businesses collapse, people lose their lives in rain-related accidents, old houses fall and bury families beneath the rubble, while prolonged power outages create immense suffering, particularly for those living in high-rise apartments.

These ordeals are not exceptional. They return every year, almost predictably, during the monsoon months — July to September. Is it not shameful that a country, fully aware of this seasonal cycle, still fails to prepare? The rains, instead of bringing relief, turn into a season of casualties; an annual reminder of poor governance. Successive rulers, immersed in corruption and personal gain, have reduced governance to a mafia-like practice. Their wealth grows abroad while the people drown in misery at home. Shame does not touch them; accountability does not reach them.

This recurring tragedy is not new. Every year it brings shame as the country fails to manage rainwater, and every year the state proves incapable of addressing the same crisis. Such repeated negligence has scarred our image, exposing a system unwilling, and perhaps unable, to protect its people.

This year, as in previous ones, the monsoon rains have plunged many cities into despair. Merciless floods have displaced thousands, leaving families homeless and bewildered. Authorities report that at least 21 people have died in rain-related incidents this week alone, pushing the nationwide toll beyond 400. Since the beginning of the monsoon season, nearly 750 lives have been lost. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has suffered the most, with flash floods and landslides wiping out entire villages. Rescue units continue to search for missing residents in remote areas.

Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing increasingly severe weather patterns. The 2022 floods submerged one-third of the country and claimed 1,700 lives — a stark reminder of what poor preparedness can cost. Despite this devastation, our infrastructure remains fragile. The drainage system is broken, rarely maintained and thus incapable of handling heavy rains. Roads turn into stagnant canals and vehicles drift like boats. The poorest families bear the brunt, as their homes fill with rainwater mixed with sewage. Household belongings float away in the filthy water, while prolonged power outages plunge neighbourhoods into darkness for days, sometimes even weeks.

The health crisis adds another layer of misery. Polluted water becomes a breeding ground for dengue mosquitoes. Hospitals, already under strain, face further challenges as waste mixes with floodwater, creating new infection risks. Grim images from Karachi and Hyderabad hospitals reveal the extent of this disaster. Without immediate government action, this will escalate into a full-scale health emergency.

In villages, agricultural lands lie submerged, livestock has perished and daily livelihoods are in ruins. In cities, furniture floats in floodwaters and residents remain cut off as roads resemble rivers. Communication networks have collapsed, leaving people unable to call for help. This is not the first time it has happened; it has become a yearly occurrence.

This is not just a natural disaster, but a governance failure. The city administration has failed to provide timely relief, and citizens are left to fend for themselves. The government must act now with tangible measures to repair drainage systems, strengthen disaster management and ensure healthcare support. If not, these recurring floods will continue to claim lives and livelihoods, year after year.