he Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rains and issued a flood warning this year. The National Disaster Management Authority, too, has issued a notification following the heat wave. Floods tend to follow periods of intense heat.

Women in the rural areas of Sindh always bear the brunt during these difficult times. Despite the experience of three mega floods over the last two decades, preparedness is still lacking this year.

Following the extensive damage caused by the 2022 flood, the provincial government constructed a large number of houses for those rendered homeless by the flood. However, in the absence of superior flood protection, the fruit of the entire effort will be at the risk of being washed away.

Much of the care-giving, repair and rehabilitation burden falls on women. Women have a multidimensional role in disaster management. They are often among the first responders. They also organize community efforts and support their families. Following the previous floods, women assumed primary responsibility for caregiving, ensuring the well-being of children, the elderly and the disabled. This role extended to providing emotional and psychological support to their families.

Sindh and Pakistan need to learn from countries like the Netherlands, Japan and Bangladesh, which have developed effective ways of handling frequent floods. The Netherlands has built a system of dikes, dams and floodgates known as delta works, which protect the country from the North Sea. Japan has invested heavily in early warning systems and community preparedness, focusing on structural measures like floodwalls and non-structural measures like education and drills. Bangladesh has developed community-based flood management strategies that involve local populations in planning the response, ensuring that the most vulnerable, including women are prepared and protected.

Met Department projections indicate the possibility of 600mm to 700mm rain in Sindh in July. Civil administration and the disaster management sector need to plan their responses accordingly.

“During the flood, I was not only a caregiver for my family but also for my neighbours. We, women, hold our communities together in times of crisis,” said Rajbai, a resident of Samaro Umerkot village. “With scant resources, we managed to organise and support one another. Our strength lies in our unity and resilience,” said Ratni, who led a community effort during the 2022 floods. She added, “As we prepare for another flood, more than 45 women are part of our early warning system in Sanghar. The Strengthening Participatory Organisation supported us by training us in disaster risk reduction to develop a contingency plan. We are coordinating with the authorities in Umerkot and Sanghar and will support each other.”

It is important to prioritise construction of houses on high ground to mitigate the impact of future floods. The government should allocate more resources and construct these homes using a community-shared model. Local philanthropists and landlords should be encouraged to pitch in.

There is a need to improve the water disposal system at the village/ UC level to develop effective flood routes.

Women must be recognised for their role in disaster management. By empowering them with resources, training and support, we can enhance community resilience and ensure that the most vulnerable populations are protected.

We must improve our early warning systems at the local level to provide timely and accurate information to rural communities. Some organisations and the government have set up weather stations and are improving communication networks to reach remote areas

Regular training sessions focusing on women and children are needed on disaster preparedness and response. These should include evacuation drills, first aid and basic survival skills.

Only a few weeks remain before the rains, and potentially flood, arrive. We need to develop comprehensive water management plans that include the construction of reservoirs, canals and drainage systems to control and redirect floodwaters. The district administration should engage the Irrigation, Water Management and Public Health Engineering Departments to ensure preparedness.

The writer is based in Umerkot. He has more than 13 years of experience in the development sector. He can be reached at shewaram@live.com