The devastation during the recent floods in Pakistan made the heart cry and the eyes tearful. Pakistani society is in the serious grip of climate change. With every passing year, the rising temperature of the Earth and the growing scarcity of water are making life increasingly difficult for people. A seasoned environmental and climate change expert is of the view that the destruction witnessed in the recent floods cannot be attributed solely to environmental causes; human neglect has contributed a great deal as well. However, according to him, better planning, implementation of environmental laws, coupled with strong political will, can improve the situation and bring relief to some extent. The following is a brief extract of his environmental insights, explained further in this regard.
The disaster in Islamabad, in which a Colonel and his daughter were swept away by floodwater, could have been avoided. There are three to four nullahs in Islamabad, and retention points can be created where streams bring water into the city. Moreover, serious compliance with environmental regulations is required.
Groundwater contamination is very costly to remediate and may never be fully restored. In this context, there is a need to check agricultural products grown in Pakistan. If found to contain heavy metals as a result of being irrigated with contaminated water, they should be restricted from public consumption. In Karachi, about 40 percent of the city’s rubbish is dumped into nullahs. There should be a proper system of waste collection, transportation, safe disposal, and recycling.
As regards the impact of climate change in Pakistan, global climate change is connected to excessive heat. We are now face-to-face with a very serious climate crisis. Although we contribute only a small fraction of global CO₂ emissions, the impacts are severely affecting us. It is largely because of the developed world that we are so vulnerable, and that is the reason why these countries intend to help us. In order to mitigate the adverse effects, the world is ready to extend assistance, but it needs reassurance that the money they provide is being used effectively to tackle climate change.
Climate change began to manifest around 15 to 20 years ago. Unfortunately, even today, we have not taken sufficient measures. Whatever happened in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan should remind us that such events are not normal. We have to determine whether this is due to climate change or part of routine environmental variation.
We can emulate practices used in Japan, where large underground ponds connected through pipelines collect excess water and safely channel it to the oceans
Although Pakistan is paying a heavy price for the actions of the developed world, we are also contributing to global warming to some extent locally. Our industrial emissions are not under control. Two or three streams located outside Karachi supply water to its catchment area. A retention or detention basin (man-made ponds) can hold rainwater for two to three hours while groundwater is recharged. After this, the excess water from Karachi can safely flow into the sea.
We burn crop residue, which generates heat and increases air pollution. About 5.1 million acres of Pakistan consist of forested land. It is estimated that approximately 11 percent of Pakistan’s forests have been lost in the previous decade. The timber mafia is largely responsible for this situation. A major tree plantation initiative launched in recent years was internationally appreciated — even the Harvard Magazine cover had highlighted this project. Such initiatives related to environmental restoration should be continued and strengthened under every government.
Cleanliness of nullahs is essential. Our open rubbish dumps generate heat as they decompose. Vehicular emissions are also contributing to warming. We are using Euro 2 fuel, while many countries use Euro 6. Due to the excessive rise in temperature, more sea evaporation occurs. In the plains, conditions are not conducive for water to accumulate in some low-lying areas. Therefore, it travels further and eventually reaches Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, where the water gains height and condenses upon cooling. Due to this phenomenon, within a small area, the intensity of rain becomes extremely high.
We can improve the local environment so that the impact is lessened. Proper planning is required to determine where heat can be reduced. We must control excessive heat because increased temperature also causes glaciers to burst.
The difference between a cloudburst and normal rain is that a particular type of cloud carries highly concentrated vapour. When this cloud rises to a high altitude and cools, it can burst suddenly, leading to intense rainfall in a very short time.
However, such clouds can be tracked and forecasted. Advanced radars can help with early warnings of cloudbursts. This can be done using technology such as Doppler Weather Radar, which emits energy to the clouds and receives signals from them, allowing estimation of intensity and movement. Some such radars are installed in Islamabad, but their availability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is minimal. Scientists note that radar range is limited in hilly and rugged terrain, but claiming they are entirely useless is incorrect. At least 12 hours’ warning may be possible. During this time, traffic can be halted and a potential catastrophe avoided.
Political will is essential to tackling climate change and protecting the environment. According to the environmental expert, a liner system (a protective barrier placed at the bottom and sometimes along the sides of a landfill to prevent toxic waste from seeping into the ground) should be created to safely dispose of landfill waste. We can emulate practices used in Japan, where large underground ponds connected through pipelines collect excess water and safely channel it to the oceans.
Pakistan’s climate disasters can be minimised through proper planning, enforcement of environmental laws, and the development of local solutions. Rainwater harvesting is one such solution that allows excessive rainwater to be stored and later utilised. Environmental planning, political will, and strict regulatory enforcement are essential to averting climate disasters in Pakistan. The reality remains that floods and devastation are not merely acts of nature; they are worsened by our neglect.