Unsatisfactory
One reason floods inflict so much damage, time and again, is that nothing is done to prepare for them. Another, of course, is that the government, which does nothing in the first place, is naturally not too concerned about holding anybody accountable. It is not too surprising, therefore, that the press has started speaking about infrastructure problems not addressed and most people responsible for past catastrophes cleared, even as this year’s rains threaten a possible repeat of the ’10 and ’14 disasters. Not only did the government’s inability to do its basic job lead to hundreds of deaths, thousands displaced and millions lost in property in the previous floods, it was also responsible for knocking a good two percentage points off GDP growth each time.
Still, the government would rather respond to than prepare for natural disasters. The government bureaucracy charged with handling the irrigation department, etc, is not much more competent. It has formed a habit of assuring all is well ahead of the floods, then cutting a sorry figure when the damage is done. And each time authorities let them walk scot free for some reason. Perhaps this time, too, they are hoping that the floods will not be as severe as some are predicting, and even if they are they will leave it to the military to do the cleaning up, as usual.
There is an urgent need to remedy this situation. It cannot be stressed enough that the government is allowing lives to be lost, people displaced and the local economy routed by not paying enough attention to flood related problems. It should immediately ensure all possible safety procedures are in place, and order a thorough infrastructural overhaul. It should also hold those whose negligence let so much damage be done accountable. Only then will the trend begin to reverse. Short of that, all measures taken with specific regard to floods are unsatisfactory at best and farcical at worst.
