ISLAMABAD: Vice President Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Sherry Rehman has expressed serious concern over the situation in Rawalpindi and Islamabad following torrential rains, saying the flooding in the twin cities has exposed serious weaknesses in the country’s disaster preparedness and urban flood management systems.
“Is this really the level of preparedness we have for dealing with heavy rains and floods? The situation in the twin cities has once again exposed the weaknesses of our disaster management system,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.
She asserted recurring municipal challenges remain evident, especially unchecked construction over natural drainage channels, poor urban planning, and a persistent gap between development spending and climate-resilient infrastructure. “These are the same issues that contribute to severe flooding year after year. As climate impacts become more frequent, preparedness must become a core part of governance. Building awareness is essential, not only among the public but also within the civil service.”
Senator Rehman added: “This is always a reactive discussion. It begins only after the damage has already been done, after lives have been lost, homes destroyed, livestock washed away and communities devastated. Only then do these conversations begin. There is no sustained national public conversation on these issues throughout the year.”
