Understanding climate change
As a result of global climate change, weather patterns are taking an unusual turn in Pakistan. Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had already predicted 10-20pc above normal rainfall during the monsoon this year that could cause high flooding of the catchment areas of the major rivers and the adjoining localities. Despite the warning given well on time, the federal and provincial governments have been found napping. Early this month rains and flashfloods played havoc in KP where Chitral was worst hit. During the last few days KP and Punjab have been lashed by rains inundating hundreds of acres of cultivated land and over-flooded tributaries of rivers submerging several villages. Casualties and loss of property has also been reported from cities. In case of water level rising in major rivers, floods can occur.
Elected governments generally have a tendency to remain fully focused on policies and projects that can help them win the elections. Meanwhile they tend to ignore vital but long gestation policies. In democracies issues of the sort are handled by strong institutions which continue to function irrespective of whichever party is in power. In order to deal with the challenges of climate change, which are going to multiply in days to come, there is a need to strengthen and further empower the three existing bodies which deal with disaster management i.e., Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Federal Flood Commission (FFC). Besides putting competent persons in charge these bodies have to be provided sufficient funds. As things stand all the three complain of shortage of funds.
Weather experts have drawn several conclusions from the recent rain patterns. It has been suggested that besides the increase in rain, the number of days of rainfall in different cities has also increased. Further that summers are expanding and winters shrinking while wet seasons are becoming wetter and dry spell getting drier. More exhaustive researches need to be conducted in weather patterns to be better able to predict impending disasters.