The first rainfall of the monsoon season wrecked havoc in the garrison city killing 11 people, flooding Leh Nullah and causing widespread damage to gas, electricity and water supply lines.Of the 11 victims, seven were reported killed in Westridge and Race Course areas.While the onset of Monsoon rains will bring much needed relief to the heat stricken people and to some extent increase hydel power generation, yet there are even more worries about possibility of rains and floods devastations. Almost every year, floods play havoc in different parts of the country during monsoon rains because Pakistan does not have adequate water storage facilities available. With the NDMA issuing flood warnings for various parts of the country along with Chenab, it is prudent that the government and NGOs working in the sector, implement flood risk awareness, preparedness and a viable system for disseminating warnings. Evacuation centers have to be established to avoid loss of life and the use of valuable resources during rescue operations. Houses or communities along rivers should stock up on clean drinking water and dry food items, pile sandbags in front of the entrance to prevent water gushing in and wear non-conductive rubber shoes to prevent electrocution. Experts who have worked in the South Asian region, think that changes in the strength of the monsoon caused by climate warming may be to blame for the devastating floods. It is believed that although many factors are involved, monsoon intensity is especially sensitive to the surface temperature of the Indian Ocean. Thus to cope with the emerging dangers, it is necessary that the authorities including the District and Provincial administrations and the NDMA should plan ahead to meet any eventuality. In addition to making arrangements for temporary relief and settlement of the affected people, it is also a high time that a mass awareness campaign be launched to inform the people about the dangers from monsoon rains and floods and related issues of water borne diseases and others.
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