Pakistan: Floods: prevention is better than relief and repair

While civilian and military teams struggled to rescue people from raging floodwaters of River Chenab on Sunday, at least 17 persons from a 40-member wedding party, including the groom, drowned as they tried to cross a flood-swollen river in Muzaffargarh district. The tragedy is all the more shocking given that it could have been avoided. The river condition did not permit safe passage, yet those in charge of the affair went ahead to cross it, apparently, urged on by a fatalistic tendency that characterises individual as well as governmental attitude in the face of imminent danger.

This year's floods produced by short-span heavy rains (overall, the seasonal rainfall has been lighter than usual) have caused widespread devastation in large swathes of Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Punjab. Floodwaters are now moving down southern region of Punjab and onwards into Sindh. According to the National Disaster Management Authority, so far 2.419 million people have been affected in Punjab and 38,238 in Azad Kashmir. Official figures put the death count in three regions at 289 and of the wounded 507; unofficial reports indicate actual casualties are much higher. Many more people are to suffer when the floods hit Sindh although the authorities there are prepared to deal with the situation. It is not the first time that floodwaters are wreaking so much havoc. This country lies within the range of annual monsoon rains, and hence is prone to floods. Yet there is no plan in place to avert the ever present threat. Like at such times before, cities in the flood path are being saved by blowing up river banks at selected points to create diversions, inundating rural areas. Underprivileged village dwellers are bearing the brunt of floodwater fury. They are losing lives, homes, crops and farm animals, and dealing with indefinite displacements.

Efforts are on to provide help to the affected people. It is not enough, however, to carry out rescue and relief operations after the impending calamity has hit. What is needed is a well thought-out plan to reduce the risk of floods and also to turn adversity into an advantage. Notably, the floodplains along major rivers, such as the 'Kutcha area' beside River Sindh, were meant to ease the stress of floodwaters. These areas have now been taken over by human habitations. Something needs to be done to reclaim the floodplains to allow for river overflows. Equally if not more important, instead of letting floodwaters to run into the sea, reservoirs need to be constructed to store them. The measure can reduce the size of a flood; and the stored water, aside from helping replenish underground aquifers, would be available for use in times of scarcity. As it is, Pakistan is counted among the world's water-scarce countries, and its problem is expected to get acute in not-too-distance a future. In fact, as per environmental scientists' predictions the phenomenon of melting glaciers is to bring about alternating spells of floods and droughts in this region, adversely impacting Pakistan's agricultural economy. Our policymakers and planners need to take notice and adopt effective measures to deal with the clear and persistent threat of floods, and environmentalists' dire predictions of even greater disasters. Considering the enormity of the challenge, there is no room for fatalistic resignation.