Climate challenge

The tragic Swat incident which saw the deaths of more than a dozen people from the same family should be enough to explain why rain, which should ideally be a blessing to beat the scorching summer sun, is a trigger for most Pakistanis. So far, at least 50 people have lost their lives in rain-related accidents acrros the country. Days after the Swat tragedy, the chairperson of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said that shifting weather patterns are impacting susceptible regions throughout Pakistan. But no explanation can be enough to rationalise our failures when it comes to disaster preparedness. Evacuation of vulnerable regions should be a top priority of the government, but authorities usually place the blame on people for being lenient. And while most residents object to temporary relocation, they do so because the government does not make satisfactory arrangements for them.

Regardless of the people’s reluctance to take safety measures, it is still on the government to do all it can to protect people’s lives and property. What Pakistan lacks is adequate messaging. This would require engaging local government machinery and conducting awareness campaigns in every neighbourhood. Tourism companies should also announce why certain weeks are not suitable for leisure activities. Since businesses, especially those that depend on tourism activities that is also at its peak during school vacations, cannot be shut down for extended periods, rescue and first-aid