n ominous warning by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Punjab, alerted government officers and officials as well as the general public about a heavy spell of monsoon rains in the province from July 1. With rainfall expected to reach 50 millimeters in some areas of the Punjab during this month, the weather advisory made specific references to urban flooding in some areas of the province.

While it is still a relatively new phenomenon in Pakistan, urban flooding has become a recurrent and intensifying issue affecting not just population centres in the Punjab but also other areas of Pakistan, including Karachi and Islamabad. This phenomenon, exacerbated by climate change, rapid urbanisation and inadequate infrastructure, has serious implications for urban populations, including loss of life, property damage and disruption of daily lives.

Climate change has significantly altered weather patterns, resulting in more intense and unpredictable rainfall. The Global Climate Risk Index by Germanwatch places Pakistan among the top 10 countries faced with extreme risk due to climate change. The confluence of changing weather patterns and climatic conditions has led to frequent and severe flooding in urban areas, as seen in recent years. For instance, the monsoon rains of 2022 caused unprecedented flooding, affecting millions and resulting in substantial economic losses.

The rapid expansion of cities without adequate planning has compounded the problem. The burgeoning urban population, projected to encompass half of Pakistan’s populace by 2050, places immense strain on existing infrastructure. Unplanned urban sprawl, poor waste management and encroachments on natural drainage paths exacerbate flooding issues. The mushroom growth of housing societies in urban areas, and residential communities along riverbanks in rural and peri-urban areas exposes large swathes of population to flood risk.

Most Pakistani cities lack proper storm-water drainage systems. The existing infrastructure is decades old and often becomes overwhelmed during heavy rains, leading to water-logging and flooding. Clogged drains and sewer systems, often due to improper waste disposal, further aggravate the situation.

The consequences of urban flooding in Pakistan are manifold, most importantly in terms of human lives. The recent floods in 2022 resulted in around 1,700 deaths; tens of thousands were displaced from their homes. While the immediate impact of flooding may only be visible in terms of lives lost and displaced communities, the economic impacts can last for years. It has been estimated that the 2022 floods caused damages exceeding $30 billion, with extensive destruction of infrastructure and homes, loss of livelihoods (primarily agricultural land and livestock) and the cost of rehabilitating the flood affected areas back to productivity.

The closer proximity of populations in urban areas and the limited room for egress of excess water means that urban flooding poses a significantly higher potential for damage as compared to riverine flooding. Moreover, while traditional flood management approaches have been tailored and improved over the years to address riverine flooding, dealing with urban flooding requires a multi-faceted approach.

For starters, urban area development must comply with comprehensive master plans and any type of development in natural water ways and flooding channels must be strictly restricted. Besides, upgrade of existing drainage systems is essential in order to enhance the water-carrying capacity of sewerage and storm-water systems. Existing green spaces must be protected through strict legislation, so that some of the water runoff can replenish the depleted underground water reservoirs.

Effective urban planning that discourages haphazard construction and preserves natural drainage routes is essential. This involves creating urban layouts that integrate flood management strategies and ensure that new developments do not exacerbate flooding risks. The development of new housing societies, urban areas and office buildings must be done with a mindful consideration of natural waterways. Judicious use of asphalt, while retaining existing green areas, can have a transformative impact in the event of urban flooding. This is especially key in areas such as the Ravi belt where previously uninhabited agricultural lands will be turned into urban settlements.

Furthermore, enhancing the resilience of urban areas to climate change is vital. This includes building flood defences, improving early warning systems and ensuring that communities are prepared for extreme weather events. The government should also focus on policies that mitigate the impact of climate change, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable practices.

Additionally, strengthening local governance and empowering municipal bodies can lead to better urban management of climate risks and extreme weather events. Local governments need financial and administrative autonomy to implement and enforce flood mitigation measures effectively. The PDMA is already taking steps to improve early warning, and enhance coordination between local bodies for effective flood risk mitigation.

Finally, it would be remiss not to mention the role of civic responsibility and involvement in order to tackle urban flooding. Engaging communities in flood preparedness and response plans can enhance resilience. Success stories, including from Turkey, afford replicable blueprints whereby community centres and mosques serve as focal points for rescue and relief during disasters.

Re-engaging the Civil Defence Department, and reviving the PDMA’s volunteer programme under the technical supervision of Punjab Emergency Services (Rescue 1122) for instance, can help build local capacity to combat not just urban but also riverine flooding. Also, public awareness campaigns and community-based initiatives can play a significant role in reducing the impact of urban floods. For this purpose, the presence of an integrated communication and messaging strategy designed especially for risk communication is essential.

Urban flooding in the Punjab is the confluence of rapid urbanisation, haphazard development and climate change. Successfully tackling this menace will require multi-sectoral coordination and effective buy-in from all stakeholders to create a long-term, viable solution that preserves the lives and livelihoods of the citizens of the Punjab.

The writer is a development sector professional with nearly a decade of experience in communications and reporting. He has supported the implementation of The World Bank’s Disaster and Climate Resilience Improvement Project and ADB’s Flood Emergency Reconstruction and Resilience Project in Pakistan