THIS year’s thundering monsoon and therefore the subsequent loss of life

 THIS year’s thundering monsoon and therefore the subsequent loss of life and property have once more exposed our inability to organize for and manage natural disasters. the entire price from rain-related damage within the country since mid-June has crossed 170 while heavy rainfall continues to batter several areas.  

With the newest spell of rain claiming over 20 lives in Hazara and Malakand divisions of KP, the entire number of deaths within the province has surpassed those in Sindh. Heavy landslides and flash floods have destroyed an outsized number of homes, several schools and other structures, and have damaged the road and communications network in Chitral, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Lower Dir, Charsadda, Mardan and other areas.  There have also been a minimum of three extreme weather events during the past two months. On Aug 28, flash floods resulting from a cloudburst in Swat valley caught in a frenzy around 45 houses while killing a minimum of 11 people. Meanwhile, in Chitral, two glacial lake outbursts — one on July 13 and therefore the other on Aug 14 — also resulted in considerable losses.  The recurring floods that are worsening over the years combined with these freak weather events are a transparent warning to the authorities to require effective measures to limit the impact of global climate change within the country.  

Pakistan is among the highest 10 countries most susceptible to the deadly effects of worldwide warming. While in KP the provincial rescue departments are prompt in their response to the crises and are providing relief to the affected people, the overall state of the disaster management infrastructure within the country leaves tons to be desired.  

Since changing climate patterns and measures to mitigate their effect aren't taken under consideration while preparing an idea for disaster management, the collective effort is unplanned and sometimes an exercise in futility. With no sustainable solutions, such short-term measures come at great expense in terms of resources. What the country needs is an integrated disaster prevention and management system that takes into consideration both prevention and preparedness.  

For this, help are often sought from the federal global climate change ministry to pinpoint the danger factors and vulnerable areas. Moreover, the authorities would also got to invest within the latest equipment for accurate weather forecasts and capacity building of disaster management authorities’ staff in order that they will plan beyond mundane relief measures to protect against the perennial loss of life and property.