Floods and Climate Change A Shared Responsibility Demanding Collective Action.

Floods and Climate Change A Shared Responsibility Demanding Collective Action.

In recent years, the world has witnessed a significant rise in natural disasters, particularly floods caused by excessive rainfall. From Dubai and Saudi Arabia to the United States, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia, devastating floods have impacted infrastructure, claimed lives—both human and animal—and disrupted daily life. Buildings collapse, roads wash away, and entire communities are displaced. These events are not unique to any one country. They are part of a broader global crisis—climate change.

Floods and administrative failures in such times are not exclusive to developing nations. Even the most advanced countries with modern systems have faced unmanageable flood situations. This shows that climate change is a global challenge, and no nation is fully prepared. Yet, in countries like Pakistan, the blame game becomes the focus. Every time such a disaster occurs, the sitting government is targeted as if the situation is new. In reality, these issues have persisted for decades under various governments—be it the PML-N, PPP, or PTI. All major political parties have had their turn at governance, and none have made substantial, lasting improvements in disaster management.

Pakistan, despite being one of the most vulnerable countries to climate-induced disasters, still lacks a robust and effective disaster preparedness and response mechanism. There is minimal investment in early warning systems, drainage infrastructure, urban planning, and public awareness campaigns. Our cities continue to expand without climate resilience, and rural areas remain exposed to the raw force of nature. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and related institutions exist, but their impact remains limited due to lack of funding, coordination, and long-term planning.

The truth is: the blame lies with everyone. Political leadership, institutions, and even the public—all share responsibility. But pointing fingers will not solve the crisis. What is needed now is unified, serious effort.

What Must Be Done:

1. Public Awareness: Citizens must be educated on how to act during natural disasters. This includes evacuation procedures, first aid, and understanding flood warnings.

2. Disaster Management Plans: Every city and district should have a clear, actionable plan in place. Coordination between local, provincial, and national authorities is essential.

3. Infrastructure Investment: Drainage systems, embankments, dams, and shelters must be upgraded or built anew to cope with intense rainfall and flooding.

4. Climate Resilience: Long-term planning must integrate climate resilience into agriculture, construction, and urban planning.

5. Early Warning Systems: Investing in satellite-based monitoring, weather forecasting, and timely communication can reduce the impact of sudden disasters.

6. Political Unity: All parties must come together for a national climate resilience strategy, avoiding blame games and focusing on action.

7. Community Engagement: NGOs, volunteers, religious groups, and local communities should be part of planning and response strategies.

We can no longer treat floods and climate disasters as seasonal events. They are signs of a larger shift—global warming and environmental neglect. The earlier we accept this reality, the better we can prepare.

This is not just a government issue—it’s a national emergency that calls for collective effort. If we don’t act now, the cost will not just be broken roads and fallen buildings—it will be lost generations.