Flooding in twin cities exposes flaws in preparedness for disaster, says Sherry

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Vice President and Senator Sherry Rehman has raised serious concerns over the flooding in Islamabad and Rawalpindi caused by torrential rains. She highlighted the "serious weaknesses" in the country's disaster preparedness and urban flood management systems. "Is this really the level of preparedness we have for dealing with heavy rains and floods?" she questioned in a statement.

Ms. Rehman emphasized that the recurring municipal issues, like unchecked construction over natural drainage channels and poor urban planning, contribute to severe flooding year after year. She stressed that climate change impacts are becoming more frequent, making preparedness a crucial part of governance. "This is always a reactive discussion," she lamented, noting that authorities are struggling to cope with the current rainfall while several parts of the twin cities are inundated.

Rehman urged the government to promptly accelerate rescue and relief operations, ensuring timely assistance to affected citizens. She stressed that emergency measures after heavy rainfall episodes are no longer enough and called for permanent reforms to address the growing threat of urban flooding. These reforms should include modernizing drainage systems, regular maintenance of stormwater channels, strengthening flood management mechanisms, and establishing effective early warning systems.

She also emphasized the importance of a long-term environmental and disaster management strategy, drawing parallels with recent floods in Nepal.