Loss of precious lives in torrential rains in Punjab

Editorial Jul, 16 2024
Loss of precious lives in torrential rains in Punjab
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There are reports of 12 people killed and 27 injured due to heavy rains in different areas of Punjab in 24 hours, during which 27 houses collapsed.

Water levels in rivers, barrages and dams are rising while India is unlikely to release floodwaters in Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, which could affect many people and agricultural lands in Punjab and Sindh.  Many countries face heavy rains and floods, but developed countries are largely protected from the damage due to their abundance of resources and modern technology. While rising temperatures have gripped South Asia for the past few years, Pakistan has been suffering from an unusual monsoon season and due to lack of resources and management, a large number of human lives and crops have been lost. After the rainy season, rains are generally less in the country. This situation affects agriculture. World experts have been warning about this in advance. There are feasibility reports for constructing thousands of small and medium dams in Upper Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir and northern regions, which could provide opportunities for hydropower generation along with agriculture.  The Chief Meteorological Department and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have predicted heavy rains across the country, keeping in mind that timely arrangements should be made by the relevant departments and the provincial ministries of health, an inevitable requirement of the situation.  

NDMA has issued high alert in various cities of the country in view of the risk of heavy rain with strong winds, flooding in rivers and urban flooding. Monsoon rains have started. The hill streams of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree Guliyat, Mansehra, Kohistan and Abbottabad may overflow.  Flood situation may arise in Dera Ghazi Khan, Dera Swat, Kashmir. Medium and high level floods in Chenab river and landslides in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are feared.  There is a risk of urban flooding in Lahore, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Narowal, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Peshawar. Urban flooding is called when a flooding situation occurs in urban areas, i.e. water overflows the drains and rivers of a city and enters the houses of citizens. Yesterday, in various cities of Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Murree and Jhelum, due to heavy rain with strong winds, the heat and heat broke. But the Low-lying areas were flooded. There are also reports of deaths due to electrocution and falling walls.  In some areas, feeders tripped and electricity was suspended. According to NDMA, heavy rains are expected in most of the divisions of Punjab.  Every year there are high claims but people have to suffer heavy losses due to heavy rains and floods. The effects of past flood disasters are still there. Unsettled population, poor sewage system, non-cleaning of drains, their shrinking, lack of water storage arrangements and administrative weaknesses have made monsoon a natural disaster.  In the light of past experiences, integrated strategies, comprehensive plans and pre-emptive measures are essential. Combating the effects of climate change has become a big challenge for the country. Millions of people were affected in the four provinces of Pakistan due to the floods caused by the unusual and prolonged monsoon rains last year.

More than eleven hundred people died in 110 districts while the lives of more than three and a half crore people were affected. Nine and a half lakh houses were completely or partially destroyed while more than eight lakh cattle were killed. Sindh province was the most affected due to this flood where more than 50 lakh population of 16 districts have been displaced or affected due to flood.  The speed with which the planet is heading towards hell-like heat due to rising temperatures can be gauged from the revelation that global temperatures have been on record for the first time in just twelve months.  Earth's temperature has increased by 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit or 1.5 degrees Celsius. In the light of the data released by the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service, scientists have warned that the earth is rapidly moving towards a catastrophic end.  According to the report, El Niño and global warming combined to make last year the hottest year in the last 100,000 years.  This increase has happened only during February 2023 to January 2024. Climate experts have rightly warned that if the world's energy production does not shift away from fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas to renewable sources, irreparable losses will be faced.  It is particularly noteworthy that most of the non-renewable fuels are used in developed countries, but developing countries are suffering the consequences.

The region of Pakistan, Nepal, India and Bangladesh with a population of almost two and a half billion is facing serious threats from the rising ground temperature. According to Brunel University of London experts, the main cause of death in affected countries is environmental pollution. Toxic materials in the atmosphere and land are reaching dangerous levels.  Industrial waste has not only polluted the ground water, but also the food grown on the ground.

To save the earth from destruction, it is necessary that the developed countries take urgent steps on a war footing to stop the use of fossil fuels because failure to do so will ultimately lead to the destruction of the entire world.

Our Correspondent
Our Correspondent https://www.dailynationalcourier.com/author/our-correspondent
Daily National Courier is a leading morning English newspaper of twelve pages covering all international and national political developments on 24/7 basis.

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