The recent monsoon rains have caused death and destruction across the country. Millions of people in Sindh, Southern Punjab and Balochistan are without shelter. The horrible destruction demands rigorous research to find out why we cannot prevent predictable catastrophes every year. Religious narratives have been embedded so deep in the fabric of our society that we find a safe refuge under them to avoid accountability for our wrongdoings. The ruling elite and powerful clergy term excessive rains as divine punishment for our sins, and they do so to escape the blame for their inaction in averting the crisis.
There is enough scientific evidence to prove that the flawed and greed-driven economic development model is exacerbating climate change. The heavy injection of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere manifests in increased atmospheric temperatures, resulting in increased water-carrying capacity of clouds. The consequent heavy downpour leads to floods, playing havoc with fragile infrastructure. The country’s poor urban planning has resulted in a lack of proper water-flood channels that can direct excessive rainwater to its intended destination. The excessive water inundates sewage pathways and spreads everywhere, destroying communication networks and residential homes.
The desperate situation calls to step up efforts to provide immediate relief to the affectees in the form of shelter and food. Various NGOs and volunteers are working tirelessly to collect funds and provide relief. However, political parties seem apathetic to the miseries of the ordinary people while the media is equally worthy of blame for not providing the requisite coverage in vulnerable areas.
SHAHZAIN JAFFERY
LAHORE
