Floods Leave Behind Trail of Destruction
Pakistan’s Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, has warned that the recent floods have reversed three decades of progress in the country. Speaking to the media during a visit to affected areas, he described the devastation as one of the worst in Pakistan’s recent history.
Thirty years of hard work, development projects, infrastructure, and public facilities have been wiped out,” Iqbal said. The floods have also disrupted daily life in unimaginable ways — in Punjab, even a funeral procession had to be carried to a cemetery by boat after entire villages were submerged. He added that roads, bridges, and entire villages had been destroyed, leaving communities isolated and vulnerable.
According to the minister, teams are working to assess the scale of the damage so that swift rehabilitation measures can be taken.
Relief Efforts Underway
Iqbal stressed that the government was mobilising all available resources to provide immediate relief. “Food supplies are being distributed to flood victims, and fodder is being arranged for their livestock,” he explained. Livestock plays a central role in rural livelihoods, and many families risk losing their only source of income if animals are not protected.
He assured that federal and provincial governments were coordinating with relief agencies to ensure timely assistance. Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also been involved in rescue operations, using boats and helicopters to reach stranded populations.
Punjab Chief Minister Visits Flood Zone
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also toured several flood-hit areas. During her visit, she pledged “all possible assistance” for affected families. She announced compensation payments for those who lost their homes, livestock, or livelihoods, aiming to provide some economic stability as recovery begins.
For many residents, such commitments bring hope, but challenges remain immense. The damage to transport routes has slowed aid distribution in remote districts. Humanitarian workers have warned that without rapid intervention, health crises such as waterborne diseases could escalate.
Long-Term Consequences
Pakistan is no stranger to flooding, but experts say the scale of destruction this year could have far-reaching effects. Croplands have been submerged at a time when food inflation is already rising. The loss of rural infrastructure threatens to deepen poverty in flood-prone areas, particularly in Punjab and Sindh provinces, which are the country’s agricultural heartlands.
The United Nations has previously noted that Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Heavy monsoon rains and glacial melt from the Himalayas increase the risk of severe flooding almost every year. In 2022, record-breaking floods displaced more than 30 million people and caused damages estimated at over $30 billion.
This latest disaster, according to Iqbal, risks undoing much of the reconstruction work carried out since then. “The present situation demands unity. We must all work together for the rehabilitation of affected areas,” he urged.
Recognition of Rescue Teams
The minister also praised the tireless efforts of rescue agencies, military units, and humanitarian organizationsz. He noted that volunteers and aid workers have been instrumental in evacuating families, distributing food rations, and setting up temporary shelters.
Despite these efforts, many challenges remain. Tens of thousands of people are still displaced, with schools and government buildings converted into makeshift camps. Clean drinking water, sanitation, and medical facilities remain limited in many districts.
A Call for Collective Action
Iqbal emphasized that the disaster was not just a government challenge but a national one. “The scale of the devastation requires collective responsibility,” he said. He appealed to political parties, civil society, and the international community to support Pakistan’s recovery.
While emergency measures are underway, rebuilding could take years. Infrastructure such as roads and bridges will need extensive repair, while rehabilitation of agricultural land will demand significant investment.
As Pakistan faces the dual challenge of immediate relief and long-term reconstruction, the floods serve as yet another reminder of the country’s growing climate vulnerability.
