Even during normal timesPakistan flood management was poor. Today, as political polarization deepens at an unprecedented speed, the economic crisis on horizon and people are facing record inflation. How will it affect flood control in country? If a history is any indicator, it is often assumed that political intervention one of main factors of poor management during natural disasters. Therefore, it is necessary to study the relationship between them.
Since the decision was made coalition is under massive pressure from the PTI, lacks legitimacy and direction, and above all the Prime Minister and 70% of his office facing corruption cases, flood management will be his last a priority. This will probably serve as some leverage flood and disaster management managers to act independently and in accordance with plans. Having said it, it will indeed be useful for public policy experts oversee them performance as flood season already here.
failure answer early warning signs can have catastrophic consequences, which already materializing in various parts of Pakistan. The drought deepens in Chokhlistan and Tar, as well as the outburst of the glacial lake (GLOF) devastated north. 7th May, the Hunza area was heavily devastated by a huge GLOB which caused massive violation. According to experts, the ongoing heat in Northern regions accelerated melting of glaciers earlier than usual. The GLOF reportedly swept away the “strategic bridge”. in northern areas by turning it off with China”. Usually glacial lakes are formed in Maybe, but this year They developed a month earlier. We must not forget that the heat can also cause early floods as glacier melt already was accelerated.
To understand the relationship between disaster management and political intervention, let’s first look into past floods and why controlled floods have turned into colossal disasters. In addition, there need acknowledge whether our public institutions have learned any lessons from past disasters. in aftermath of 2010 super floods, Supreme Court of Pakistan and provincial governments form commissions of investigation. Punjab government never publicly disclosed full commission report. Although Sindh government disclosed the report, he never took follow-up action.
If a coverage of seal media any indicator, successive governments in Sindh and Punjab turned out to be the same political parties. for many years did not bother to implement the recommendations of their commissions.
This is reported by the Express Tribune. on fourteenth September 2014 – “2010 flood inquest: officials are accused of negligence [have been] is moving forward. Government of Sindh ignores the commission’s report, fail follow the recommendations.” Another leading English daily report on 17th June 2011, “PML-N may require for judicial investigations in various incidents at the federal level and accountability of public officials, but government in Punjab sits quietly on Report of flood investigation of 2010″. The daily newspaper further noted: “The first paragraph of the report used the words like confused, inexperienced and unbalanced equipped for provincial flood managers.”
BUT senior official of Punjab government informally gave me with copy of Punjab Judicial Flood Inquiry Tribunal report titled “Rough Awakening” drafted and drafted by sitting judge of Lahore High Court Judge Mansour Ali Shah. Both reports mentioned many high-ranking officials. who we responsible for negligence and corruption. Sindh commission report also recommended action against officials and ordered them to resign and instructed governments to act against them. Isn’t it strange that both governments instead promoted accused officials?
Each in pakistan knows of mode of action of unholy connection of corrupt politicians and government officials. ruling parties of time PML-N and PPP preferred to defend their alliance with officials, and not to punish those who It was caused enormous damage to the country. This observation of The commission of the Supreme Court is sufficient to substantiate the widespread view it’s political interference in disaster management always caused harm. It notes: “Given the sharp political division in Muzaffargarh and Dera Ghazi Khan, opportunity of misfortune in cutting or politically motivated charges cannot be conclusively ruled out”.
Recommendations of three commissions also set standards for improving disaster management in the country. For example, the Sindah report recommended the introduction of courses in disaster management. in all educational institutions. However, this has not yet happened. Supreme Court Commission also recommended tens of steps including the following: improve and expand earlier warning system; intensify flood mitigation measures. The Commission noted that major damage occurred due to the lack of of maintenance and repair of embankments of rivers, canals and major highways/motorways obstructing natural flow of water is flowing. Therefore, “it is necessary for National Highway Administration (NHA) and Federal Flood Commission (FFC) for transportation out joint survey to identify such points”.
With regard to abuse, the commission noted that thousands of acres of Local influential persons illegally encroached on the Kutchi lands; and almost every local influence is a continuation of local deputy. All reports of commissions set surge of This practice in ponds of barriers. One report noted with pain: “Unfortunately, the provincial governments condone in encouragement of illegal actions that contribute to encroachment. Governments must not allow encroachment.” Judge (retired) Zahid Kurban Alvi, head of The Sindh Commission noted: “The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) does not have a specific plan of action.”
good news that since then NDMA developed very detailed plan. The FFC, which has been heavily criticized by the Punjab Commission, today seems in much better position for flood control. But bad news in that on there is no disaster management structure at the local, district and local levels. flood- inclined communities were ignored at every stage of planning, implementation, review and monitoring.
In 2019, PATTAN conducted a nationwide survey in areas prone to natural disasters. The goal was to collect views. of disaster-prone communities on disaster management and participation of local people. Almost all (97%) of respondents living along the river banks stated that they had never participated in in any of planning and implementation of any official agency.
Shamelessly provincial authorities never allow local governments to function. Although the National Disaster Management Act of 2010 requires local disaster management structures to be established in each district, it is unlikely that 5% of districts fulfilled this obligation. Pakistan as a signatory to the SDGs and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) Must Achieve Indicators of both policy tools each year. Without localization of disaster risk reduction measures, they cannot be achieved.
Despite structural flaws of our management seems to be flood authorities, i.e. FFC, NDMA, PDMA, meteorological department, etc., may have more ability to act independently and relatively more effective if ruling parties and unprecedentedly popular (opposition) party keep fighting each other. However, should ruling parties involve district administrations in containing PTI movement, disaster management is likely to suffer even more Seriously.
Published in Express Tribune, 27 May.th2022.
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