Devastation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa| Aftermath of Rains, Cloudbursts, and Systemic Negligence
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa After Recent Rains and Cloudbursts, Such Devastation Has Been Witnessed That Can Rightly Be Called a Minor Apocalypse.
According to reports, more than 350 people have lost their lives, hundreds are injured, and dozens are missing. In District Buner, the greatest devastation in history has been recorded, where torrential floods have swept away dozens of houses along with their occupants. Fields and crops have been ruined, livestock has been destroyed, and village after village has been erased from the face of existence. In Buner alone, 220 bodies have been recovered so far.
The torrential rain proved to be a message of death for sleeping residents. In yesterday’s tragic day, in Buner, Shangla, Swat, Battagram, Bajaur, and Mansehra, along with other parts of the country, precious human lives were lost, and homes were destroyed. The series of rains is still ongoing, due to which relief operations are facing severe difficulties. Our prayer is that Allah Almighty elevates the ranks of the martyrs of this sudden calamity, grants patience to the bereaved, and creates ease for the affected.
After every natural disaster, a question arises intensely: when will our institutions become active and effective? In Buner, Al-Khidmat and other welfare organizations are working day and night, but state institutions like NDMA and PDMA are limited to mere showy statements and formal actions. At the public level, this question should be asked intensely: when will these institutions be equipped with modern technology, local-level structures, and a rapid response system?
Pakistan is among those countries that are most affected by climate change. Unusual rains, flash flooding, and landsliding are now becoming routine. The incidents of a family drowning in Swat and an entire family being swept away in a flash flood in Babusar are proof of this.
Surprisingly, when the Meteorological Department had predicted heavy rains from August 14 to 23, despite this, millions of tourists were present in KP, Azad Kashmir, and Northern Areas, and the administration did not adopt any effective strategy.
This tragedy is not only a natural disaster but also a result of our collective negligence:
- Unplanned constructions around rivers and mountain streams continue.
- Deforestation is being carried out recklessly, which is weakening the land.
- There is no practice of assessing land strength and landslide risks during construction in mountainous areas.
- Building codes for different areas do not exist, nor has the government bothered to prepare them.
- In case of an accident, the local population lacks basic rescue or first aid training, due to which many precious lives are lost.
What Should We Do Now? (Some Practical Suggestions)
Now the time has come that we awaken from the slumber of negligence and take serious measures collectively:
- At this time, institutions like NDMA and PDMA have not moved beyond showy actions. Now the public should demand in elections that these institutions be made active and accountable. These institutions should be equipped with modern technology, local-level rescue structures, and a rapid response system.
- With the cooperation of government institutions, NGOs, and mutual aid communities, building codes should be formulated so that unplanned constructions in dangerous locations can be stopped.
- Affordable and environmentally friendly alternatives to fuel and construction timber should be provided to stop deforestation.
- The Meteorological Department should establish an accurate weather forecasting system on a regional basis. The Meteorological Department’s mobile application should be made active and user-friendly. Weather alerts should be issued at the district and tehsil levels and strictly enforced.
- Rescue, emergency management, and first aid training should be provided at the village and town levels. Basic first aid and rescue equipment should be available in every village/union council so that immediate response is possible.
- Regulations for mountain tourism should be prepared, especially in Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir, where tourism should be brought under strict regulations.
- During the threat of rains or natural disasters, tourist destinations should be closed.
Natural disasters cannot be prevented, but their impacts can certainly be reduced. If we do not take practical steps even now, the severity of devastation will increase in the coming years.
This tragedy is reminding us that now is the time to not merely rely on condolences and prayers but to hold institutions accountable through collective awareness and political demands, protect the environment, and strengthen local-level preparedness systems.
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