We will need more dams, eventually
The tumultuous political situation of Pakistan since its inception has had a multitude of repercussions for the nation that manifest from time to time. The massive destruction that the flood has caused is among those repercussions. Almost every year rivers swell up and are flooded with extra amount of water coming from the monsoon rains on one hand and released by India on the other. A natural calamity thus increased in magnitude by interference of the neighbour and archrival takes a heavy toll on both the people and the economy of Pakistan.
It has been observed that nations across the world, acknowledging the importance of conserving water as a precious resource, have been building dams and reservoirs to ensure water security and curtail threats of floods. The US has built around 100,000 dams to manage its water while China has reduced the water threat by building 75,000 dams. India has built around 4,000 dams with 64 projects in the pipeline, many of which were built solely for flood prevention and the rest for irrigation purposes.
Despite being aware of the fact that Pakistan being the lower riparian is at a disadvantage and that heavy monsoon showers every year bring an unlimited supply of fresh water, only 18 dams and 23 barrages have been built so far for the purpose of generating electricity and irrigating agricultural land. This seems to be a rather slow response considering the destruction created by floods are a regular feature in Pakistan.
Millions of cusecs of fresh, drinkable water that should have been conserved, keeping in mind the emergency situation of water in the country coupled with India’s aggressive posture, is being wasted every year
Millions of cusecs of fresh, drinkable water that should have been conserved, keeping in mind the emergency situation of water in the country coupled with India’s aggressive posture, is being wasted every year. By building more dams and reservoirs we could have diminished the extent of devastation caused by the current flood and been able to save enough water to be used in the next ten years or more. But it is said that the sins of the parents are often visited upon the children, and so is the case here. The failures of previous regimes have been multiplied and thrust upon the shoulders of the current civilian government. The leadership is hounded by inadequacies of previous governments that have resulted in terrorism, economic degradation, lawlessness, lack of development, low literacy rate, unemployment, religious extremism, intolerance and so on.
The government machinery is greatly effective and this fact can be seen from the great reduction of terror incidents. We have seen military operations in previous regimes, however the gains did not last for very long as the state had no will to do so. This time things are different. The terrorists know they cannot mess with this government and foreign interference has also been reduced considerably in Pakistan.
It must be noted that progress, in this backdrop, is a slow and steady process. There are no magic wands to wish away the undesirable and bring forth the desirous. This is not how the real world operates. Having expectations from the leaders is acceptable, whereas attaching excessive and unjust expectation is a sure recipe of discontentment and disappointment. Unfortunately, some politicians and pseudo-leaders of the so called wronged population are painting pictures of utopia where everything will be as per their wishes.
Propaganda against the state and negative criticism is something that leaders have to bear in Pakistan. We are ready to rise above it and stand for our people in distress. Relief work in the flood hit area is in full swing. Every activity is personally being monitored by the prime minister with standing orders for every party member to look into the affairs. We have taken up the responsibility and will not shy away from it.
The army has been mobilised and their mark can be seen everywhere. The media has played its role in giving a comprehensive picture of the scope of the disaster
Visiting flood hit areas and issuing orders to all those involved in relief work is something that the government is supposed to and is taking its responsibility very seriously. The army has been mobilised and their mark can be seen everywhere. The media has played its role in giving a comprehensive picture of the scope of the disaster.
Flood relief activities as we know are “at full throttle” in the affected areas and hundreds of relief camps have been setup to facilitate affectees where they are being provided shelter, food, water and medical facilities.
There is a dire need to speed up relief work. The scale of the problem calls for a display of generosity, compassion and a lot of patience to get the nation back on its feet, which may take years. It is time to realise that we have to act very efficiently and swiftly to avoid yet another disaster.
Already the state machinery has been called up, measures taken and instructions given to all relief operators to prevent any further damage that may be looming as the worst is not yet over. The situation calls for immediate measures that can minimise the destruction and provide instant but temporary relief to people, however, long term and permanent steps will also be taken once the water and uproar subsides. Building of dams becomes a necessary decision that everyone needs to come to.
Further, there is a great need to revisit the Indus Water Treaty and bring the issue of non-compliance of India before the international community. The current regime has always believed in resolution of key and significant issues such as control of water and the Kashmir issue. Since the government has the will to perform and deliver, just as the issue of terrorism is well on its way to eradication, so will all others as I believe the support of the entire nation is with us.
