Floods destroy livelihoods on govt’s apathy: experts

LAHORE: Floods destroy the livelihoods of people every year as the rulers are busy in protecting their political interests.
Experts expressed these views at the Jang Economic Session on ‘Floods – Government Institutions Performance’.
Muhammad Ajmal Arshad said floods are normal phenomena in Pakistan due to the country’s geographical location.
Arshad said natural water comes in Sindh, Jehlum and Chenab rivers every year but goes wasted rather than being utilised for irrigation and cheap power generation.
He said the economy can be benefited if reservoirs are constructed to store rain and glacier waters.
Mian Fazal Ahmed said Pakistan’s economy suffers average annual losses of Rs250 billion due to floods.
Fazal said the government should seriously look into the matter to protect the country from damages of floods and rain.
He said that a comprehensive plan should be evolved by using modern technologies to reduce the flood damages.
He added that Kalabgah dam and other water reservoirs will reduce flood damages, store water and produce low cost hydropower.
Tayab Ali Khan said floods are on the rise in the world. The developed nations are rendering efforts to decrease the impact of calamities.
Khan said the River Indus is the biggest source of water. Better floods and water management are required, he added.
He said the government must tackle land grabbing of lands along the rivers.
Farooq Tariq said destruction of floods continues unabated, but the government’s preventive measures are very poor.
Tariq said politicians are busy in photo sessions in flood areas but not resolving the issues facing the poor people.
He said permanent solutions are required to protect the public from calamities. He added that the flood is considered as an annual calamity in Pakistan, while no permanent solutions are designed for its control.
Huzaima Bokhari said countries take steps to lessen the flood impact. Bokhari added that Pakistan needs to follow suit. She said construction of more and more water security decks are required in flood-prone areas, while improvement in canal system is required for the effective use of flood water. She called to improve the condition of disaster management institutions.