Pakistan’s floods are a disaster – but they didn’t have to be
The affecting Pakistan has killed over 1,300 people, damaged over 1.7 million homes, and is disrupting food production. Over 33 million people have been affected so far.
The destruction caused by these so-called “natural disasters” is often accepted as largely unavoidable and unpredictable. Climate change is also blamed for the alleged increased frequency of disasters.
However, explain that disasters are instead caused by rather than by the climate or other environmental influences. Sources of vulnerability stem from a lack of power and resources to prepare for hazards. This includes poorly designed infrastructure along with social marginalisation and inequity, which restrict access to education and other key services.
A is where the ability of people to cope with a hazard or its impacts by using their own resources is exceeded. Where resources are scarce or inadequate, a hazard often adversely affects people.
Consequently, framing a flood as a “natural disaster” deflects from the that vulnerability must exist before a crisis can emerge. The failure of governments to suitably prepare people for these hazards is a root cause of disaster. No matter the severity of the flooding event, .
Vulnerability to floods remains high
Pakistan has been subject throughout history. This year’s flood is the country’s sixth since 1950 to kill . These disasters have encouraged numerous attempts at .
However, vulnerability towards flooding . Many of the existing management measures may even have unintentionally worsened the effects of flooding. Poorly implemented throughout Pakistan has further contributed by exacerbating surface runoff.
have dominated flood risk management in Pakistan. This is despite suggesting that a reliance on them can worsen the impact of flooding.
People tend to view engineered structures as being . Presuming the of these structures, they adjust their livelihoods and lifestyles accordingly. When a large flood occurs and these structures are breached, the impacts of flooding are amplified.
In 2005, the Shadi Kaur dam in the southern province of Balochistan broke during heavy rains, claiming the lives of . The current floods have in the same region.
Pakistan’s focus on large scale infrastructure and response measures has led to a neglect for . Many people therefore have few options to address their vulnerability.
A concluded that people in Pakistan’s Khyber Pukhthunkhwa province had little awareness of flood risks and how to prepare. Education and employment rates in the region . A literacy rate of greatly restricts access to information enabling risk reduction.
Many people and as a result remain highly vulnerable. Despite investment in , these serve little purpose if people are unaware of how to act or do not have the resources to do so.
Gender inequity remains . This makes women because they are more likely to face the issues related to employment and education highlighted above.
The extensive damage during this year’s flooding is therefore unsurprising. Khyber Pukthunkhwa has been , forcing almost 70,000 people into temporary camps.
Addressing Pakistan’s vulnerability
Pakistan’s current do not adequately address vulnerability. While flood management is gradually , progress has been slow.
Pakistan needs to adopt a proactive approach to swiftly address the underlying causes of vulnerability. People need better access to information about flood risks as well as the resources to help them prepare. In the future, disasters will persist unless profound changes are made. This must include steps to ensure effective governance, to encourage safe land use and to guarantee full access to education.
Human activities are with . An extended period of contributed to severe floods in Pakistan this year. However, the consequent catastrophe has been created by .
The resources and techniques exist to avoid flood disasters in Pakistan. However, these resources have not been distributed effectively. While climate change influences the frequency of flooding, it does not create flood disasters. Where vulnerable people are placed at risk, a catastrophe follows.
