By Uzma Ehtasham
The latest spell of monsoon rains has once again laid bare Pakistan’s enduring vulnerability to natural disasters. In a single day, at least 19 people lost their lives after roofs collapsed and electrocution incidents were reported in different parts of the country. During the past week, the death toll climbed to 97, while more than 200 people were injured. Entire villages have been submerged, thousands of families have been displaced, homes have crumbled under relentless rain, and livestock, often the only source of income for rural households, has been swept away. These are not isolated incidents or unavoidable misfortunes.
They represent a familiar pattern of destruction that returns almost every year, exposing the country’s inability to prepare for disasters that are both predictable and increasingly severe. Each monsoon season follows a similar script. Heavy rains arrive, low-lying areas are flooded, roads become impassable, electricity networks fail, emergency services struggle to cope and governments rush to organize relief operations after the damage has already been done. Officials hold emergency meetings, issue statements of concern and promise compensation for affected families. Yet when the next rainy season arrives, the same weaknesses emerge once again.
The repetition of this cycle raises a troubling question. Why does Pakistan continue to respond to disasters instead of preparing for them? The recent meeting of the federal government’s Emergency Response Committee in Islamabad, attended by ministers and senior officials, reflected an awareness of the seriousness of the current crisis. Coordinating relief efforts, monitoring weather conditions and directing rescue operations are all essential responsibilities during emergencies. However, such meetings should not become substitutes for the long-term planning that could have prevented much of the devastation in the first place.
Disaster management should begin months before the first cloud appears on the horizon, not after floodwaters have already entered homes and communities. Pakistan is no stranger to monsoon flooding. The country has endured repeated disasters over the past two decades, culminating in the catastrophic floods of recent years that devastated millions of lives, destroyed infrastructure and caused enormous economic losses. Every one of these disasters has provided valuable lessons about the weaknesses in planning, infrastructure and governance. Unfortunately, many of those lessons appear to have been forgotten once the immediate crisis faded from public attention.
Many of the tragedies witnessed during heavy rainfall are preventable. Roof collapses often occur because buildings are poorly constructed or have deteriorated through years of neglect. Fatal electrocution incidents usually result from exposed electrical wiring, damaged poles and inadequate maintenance of power infrastructure. Urban flooding frequently reflects blocked drainage systems filled with rubbish and unchecked construction that obstructs the natural flow of water. These are not failures caused by the weather alone. They are failures of planning, regulation and enforcement.
Before the arrival of every monsoon season, drainage channels should be cleared, sewerage systems inspected, flood barriers reinforced and vulnerable communities identified. Local governments should conduct risk assessments, inspect dangerous buildings and remove illegal encroachments that obstruct waterways. Utility companies should ensure that electricity networks can withstand severe weather and that exposed wires are repaired before they become deadly hazards. These measures require commitment and coordination rather than extraordinary resources. Their absence continues to cost lives every year.
Climate change has made the need for preparation even more urgent. Scientists have repeatedly warned that South Asia will experience increasingly intense rainfall, stronger storms and more unpredictable weather patterns as global temperatures continue to rise. Pakistan contributes only a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate-related disasters. This reality demands a shift in thinking. Disaster management can no longer be treated as a seasonal administrative exercise. It must become a permanent national priority integrated into development planning, infrastructure investment and environmental policy.
A modern disaster management system depends not only on emergency responders but also on reliable forecasting, accurate data and effective communication with the public. Early warning systems must be expanded to ensure that communities receive timely information before floods arrive. Local authorities should identify safe evacuation centers, maintain emergency supplies and regularly conduct preparedness exercises. Schools, hospitals and public institutions should have clear emergency response plans so that essential services remain operational during crises. Public awareness campaigns can also help families understand how to respond during emergencies, reducing panic and saving lives.
Equally important is the need to strengthen local government institutions. National policies may establish broad frameworks, but the first response to any disaster almost always comes from district administrations, municipal authorities and community organizations. These local institutions require adequate funding, trained personnel and modern equipment if they are to respond effectively. Years of administrative neglect have weakened many of these bodies, leaving them unable to cope when disasters strike. Investing in local capacity is therefore one of the most practical ways to improve national resilience.
The current situation has also revived concerns over the management of Pakistan’s water resources. Reports of possible additional water releases from across the border by India have raised fears that downstream regions could face even greater pressure during periods of heavy rainfall. Whether or not such concerns materialize, they underline the importance of strengthening Pakistan’s own flood management systems. Expanding water storage capacity, constructing new reservoirs, rehabilitating ageing dams and improving river management should form part of a comprehensive national strategy. Water that causes destruction during the monsoon can become a valuable resource during periods of drought if managed wisely.
(The writer is a public health professional, journalist, and possesses expertise in health communication, having keen interest in national and international affairs, can be reached at uzma@metro-morning.com)
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