Climate Change and Flooding in Pakistan

Flooding of 2022 in Pakistan

            Recent flooding in Pakistan has been deadly as it nearly killed 1200 people and abandoned half a million homeless. Floods are triggered by the early monsoon rains which continued throughout the season. The extent of damage caused by flooding is still unknown but the death tolls, injuries and infrastructural damage are still rising. 

            There is a strong sense of inaction, injustice, and disparity among the populous. Pakistan only contributes around 1% of the world's total greenhouse emissions, but its location and topography make it particularly vulnerable to the effects of global warming.

According to Sherry Rehman Climate Minster, "Literally, one-third of Pakistan is flooded right now, this has beyond every threshold, and every norm we've seen in the past." Pakistan is

 geographically situated such that it is subject to the combined effects of two powerful storm systems.  Most of Pakistan's citizens make their homes in low-lying areas near the Indus River, which often floods during the country's monsoon season. 

Factors which Augment the Vulnerabilities of Climate Change

            The country is vulnerable to climate change but an important aspect which is being ignored by government officials is the harmful impacts of flooding is exacerbated by poor ecological governance. Such vulnerabilities could be lessened if the government of Pakistan had taken initiatives in flood-vulnerable areas.

The first thing which does not get any attention from state institutions is the need for water infrastructure for water retention. They explained the need for new dams and the diminishing capacity of existing dams and the increasing flow of rivers. Pakistan needs the construction of new Dams as it simultaneously increases the guard against flood and amplifies the quantity of water available to Pakistan. 

The problem of deforestation makes people more vulnerable to floods, due to this, there are fewer bulwarks for the flood water. Poor drainage systems aggravated the flooding and the risks to the lives of people. For instance, the infrastructure of Karachi- a Pakistani City- is inadequate. 

Any modern city that received this quantity of rain would be unaffected because of the extensive and reliable emergency services. Residents of Karachi are still dependent on drainage systems installed during the British administration [before 1947]. Even though the latest official census puts the population at a lower total, estimates put it between 24 and 26 million.

To address the impact of climate change, the government needs to integrate the aspect of ecological governance into its strategy. This should include, but is not limited to the following aspects: a. achieve energy efficiency and cut down line losses, b. take immediate and effective action against deforestation, c. implement water recycling plans, d. construct dams to preserve water, e. explore green energy options and cut carbon emissions, and lastly undertake mass reforestation efforts.

Political and Administration issues Amid Climate Change

            The susceptibility of Pakistan to climatic shocks is exacerbated by the country's poor administration and lack of political will. Moreover, the severity of the tragedy has been increased by unlawful and uncontrolled construction, especially in susceptible locations. But there is a chasm between scientific research and official action.

            Pakistan is not alone in its susceptibility to the effects of climate change, but its officials have been aware of this fact for at least two decades. In 2010, they witnessed firsthand how rapidly natural disasters can destabilize a whole country. Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority and provincial disaster management authorities were both set up after the devastating floods of 2010. In other words, it was their job to prepare for any potential catastrophes, whether they be caused by nature or by humans.

           Moreover, there are early warning systems and evacuation preparations in place, for instance, as noted by the Sindh Provincial Disaster Management Authority's (PMDA) prediction of "above average rainfall" this year. How successful their approach to communication was, however, is yet unknown. However, the Sindh Provincial Disaster Management Authority only had only 71,000 tents on standby, even though about 4 million people had to evacuate their homes because of the crisis. 

           The most pressing issue we need to investigate is why there was a breakdown in communication between the meteorological office and the numerous agencies in charge of disaster management. When Pakistan shifts its focus from relief to recovery and reconstruction, only then will its citizens have a full appreciation of this. Both the 2010 floods and the present floods have important lessons to teach. 

            Political infighting, coalition manoeuvring, and battles with the establishment and judiciary have dominated Pakistani headlines and political energy since the spring no-confidence motion against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and the formation of the new government under Sharif. New allegations against Khan and the province administrations his party controls in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have diverted attention away from the overall flood response. As evidence of his popularity and ability to rally the Pakistani diaspora, Khan successfully organized a telethon to raise a large sum of money for flood relief. 

            Pakistan's government and military have been trying to provide aid across the country despite the political crisis, but there has been public point scoring and competition between political parties and elites to appear to be giving flood relief.

           However, the larger issue is that Pakistan has not been able to address this climate disaster because of its chronic political instability and recurrent crises, which have prevented the country from implementing the policy continuity and reform that would have put it in the best possible position to do so. In such a complicated situation, it is required by all the parties work together to help flood victims and keep their fights at bay.

Mitigation Measures to Reduce the Impact of Climate Change

Both the country's preparation for floods and its management of post-flood relief efforts suffer from a lack of efficient policy planning and implementation. Pakistan needs improved data gathering, mapping, planning and preparation for relief operations, as well as more unified flood control and disaster management system. 

Since Pakistan is hit so hard by climate change, some environmentalists say that the burden should fall on the shoulders of the world's biggest polluters to help the country adapt. Deforestation and the use of dirty fuels are two major contributors to Pakistan's high emission rates. The scale of its economy, rather than any particular policy, is what keeps Pakistan from being a leading global polluter.

Pakistan, lacks the means to implement the essential mitigation measures on its own yet merits ongoing international climate aid. The state's response to the recent flooding was inadequate, but the community stood forward to help. Relief efforts have been managed by civil society organizations, and rescue operations have been led by private citizens.