Monsoon Rains 2022: Climate Change
Dialogue on flood disaster in Pakistan

A dialogue on the recent flood disaster in the country due to Global Climate Change (Causes, Consequences & Way Forward) was jointly organized by Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Shaheed Z.A Bhutto Campus, Khairpur Mir’s and Khairpur Medical College, Khairpur with the financial support of Government of Sindh at the main auditorium of MUET, SZAB Campus Khairpur last month.
The inaugural session of dialogue was chaired by Syed Asad Ali Shah. Professor Dr. Rukhsar Ali Shahani, Principal of Khairpur Medical College, welcomed the session chair, distinguished guests, dignitaries, invited Speakers and panelists, Directors and Faculty members of MUET SZAB Campus Khairpur and Khairpur Medical College, Managing and Organizing Committee members of this dialogue and students. Prof. Dr. Abdul Sami Qureshi, Pro-Vice Chancellor, MUET, SZAB Campus Khairpur Mir’s while presenting objectives of dialogue shared that Torrential monsoon rains triggered the most severe flooding in Pakistan’s recent history. In addition to causing a humanitarian crisis, Pakistan’s floods in the summer of 2022 also brought up governance and environmental challenges. At the start of the monsoon season in mid-June, Pakistan experienced flooding due to strong rains. Estimates of the rainfall range from two to many times higher than usual during the monsoon. By the end of August, flooding had reportedly affected more than 33 million people, injured about 13,000 people, and killed more than 1,700 people. It had reached historic and catastrophic levels.
According to reports, at its worst, more than one-third of the nation was under water, severely harming the nation’s infrastructure, way of life, and agriculture. Millions of people are in need of immediate, lifesaving support, and are at increased risk of waterborne diseases, drowning, and malnutrition. Hundreds of thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed, while many public health facilities, water systems, and schools have been destroyed or damaged. As the floodwaters have receded, the crisis has become an acute survival crisis. Frail, and hungry, people are fighting a losing battle against severe acute malnutrition, diarrhea, malaria, dengue fever, typhoid, acute respiratory infections, and painful skin conditions. As well as physical ailments, the longer the crisis continues, the greater the risk to mental health. Sindh has been the biggest victim of this disaster; it is expected that out of 33 million people affected, over 70% are in Sindh. A major difference in Sindh compared to other provinces is the fact that surplus water from all provinces & regions ultimately comes to Sindh, which is effectively the drain of the entire country. Further, owing to its altitude at sea level, water does not flow easily. An inadequate drainage system has further escalated the disaster, as a result, most of Sindh remains submerged. Given the impact of climate change, with the largest number of glaciers in Pakistan outside Polar Regions that are melting together with the risk of unusual heaving rains in the future, the people of Sindh are exposed to the massive risk of existential crisis. The purpose of this dialogue is to examine & discuss the implications of the current disaster, and the role of different agencies in terms of;
Impact of the current disaster in terms of loss of lives, property, livelihoods, health, education, and other consequences.
Disaster planning, response, and management & overall governance
Learnings from current disaster.
What needs to be done to enhance preparedness to face climate change-related disasters in the future to mitigate the risk?
The dialogue has been arranged to gather all the experts/stakeholders from relevant fields (Irrigation, National Highway Authority (NHA), Researchers, NGOs, Media Persons, Social Activists Climate change experts, etc.) under one roof to discuss the causes, consequences, and way forward to the sustainable solution.
In the technical session, scholars and experts from diverse backgrounds presented their papers on the topic. The presenters included;
Mr. Naseer Memon, Activist and Renowned Development Professional presented his paper on “Flood Disaster 2022: Lessons and Way Forward”. Prof. Dr. Mohsin Hafeez, Country Representative, International Water Management Institute, Pakistan presented a paper on “Holistic Systematic Approaches to Mitigate Water Risk in the Indus Basin in a Changing Climate”. Mr. Ali Asghar Arbab, Climate Change/Environmental Journalist, News Editor, PTV Center, Karachi presented a paper on “Impact of Flood disaster on Livelihood and The Importance of Revival of Natural Water Ways”. Dr. Asif Khan, Associate Professor & Chairman, Department of Civil Engineering, Jalozai Campus, UET Peshawar’s Topic of the presentation was “Impact of climate change on floods in Pakistan”. Dr. Safdar Bashir, Chairperson, Associate Professor, Department of Soil & Environmental Sciences, Ghazi University Dera Ghazi Khan presented a paper on the topic of “Climate Change & Current Disasters in South Punjab: Impact on Agriculture & Livelihood”. Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman Hashmi, Section Head Water Resources and Glaciology, Global Change Impact Study Centre Islamabad presented his paper on “Future of Pakistan’s Water under Climate Change: Issues & Solutions”. In the panel discussion, Dr. Habib ur Rehman Ursani, Director of Hydrology & Research Sindh, Irrigation Department presented his talk on “Flood Disaster in Sindh/Pakistan Due to Global Climate Change”. Engr. Manzoor Ahmed Shaikh, Investigative Journalist & Member of various committees of PEC talked on “Rebuilding of Sindh after flood disaster due to climate change”. Dr. Mehboob Ali Shaikh, Chairman, of The Sindh Vision, An Educationist, a Social Reformer, Prolific writer also joined as a panelist and shared his views.
After the technical session and panel discussion, the chair of the technical session Syed Ali Shah presented recommendations of dialogue and shared that from this dialogue we have acquired substantial information from learned guests, their valuable suggestions and insights regarding flood impact, its disaster, and consequences on our economic growth of our province in particular and our country in General. From this session and the dialogue between distinguished guests, we have concluded a few recommendations that can be carried forward to our government in order to prevent such calamities in the future.
Following are the recommendations which were concluded at the end of the presentation sessions as well as during the panel discussion.
Personnel/staff of the repair and maintenance division of the department of irrigation and drainage should be re-trained and their performance is monitored through field visits and digital technology applications.
Before the next monsoon (2023), the rehabilitation and reconstruction of strategic drainage works should be undertaken to minimize flood losses.
Whole irrigation and drainage system be reviewed by experts and a new strategic plan should be developed to prevent floods.
A disaster research center should be established to intensively do research on disasters including floods.
Public and private universities and research centers working in Sindh should coordinate to do meaningful research on the prevention of disasters.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) should be updated and implemented with zero deviation for irrigation and drainage works.
Like, the left bank study of SIDA, a study should be undertaken for drainage and flood protection for the right bank.
comprehensive research should be done for providing drainage for cities and towns of Sindh.
All storm waterways be cleared off and steps should be taken to prevent encroachment upon them.
Advanced information technology should be used to forecast floods and take appropriate measures before the heavy rains.
The irrigation and drainage department should appoint very competent staff at strategic levels.
Project planning in the irrigation and drainage sector should align with its top priorities; for example, a huge amount of money is being spent on the lining of canals and sub-canals, which are at the low priority level.
As academia (Doctors and Engineers specifically) it is our responsibility to provide awareness as an individual and add our contribution to the rehabilitation of our province and country.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah Jillani, former Chief Minister Sindh while chairing the concluding ceremony of the event, presented appreciation shields to speakers, organizers, and collaborators. Speaking on the occasion chief guest appreciated the efforts of organizers for putting their efforts to address the burning issue of Sindh. He apprised to compile the recommendations of dialogue and to share them with concerned authorities.
In the end, Dr. Rafiq Ahmed Memon, secretary of dialogue thanked the speakers and guests for joining the dialogue.n