Woes of Flood Affected People

Ali Gul Leghari- Johi
According a report released by Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) on dated 29th August 2022, the floods caused by the monsoon rains since Mid-June has affected almost all provinces of Pakistan. Referring to NDMA’s figure, the massive floods have so far claimed 1061 lives, and 1575 people injured in floods related incidents. The estimated number of affected people is about 30 million and more than 1 million housed are totally or partially damaged leaving behind millions of people in need of urgent shelter. In Sindh, on one side, the floods have delapidated whole infrastructure, most of the villages are completely under water, cities and towns are being evacuated, roads have been blocked whereas on other side, all this is to be blamed on extremely sluggish mismanagement that can further be divided into many factors including District management, negligence of irrigation department lack of politicians will to contribute their services for affected people. People’s party has been ruling in Sindh province since 2008, but it has always failed to take necessary measures to facilitate the people in hard times. Though, Government has all available resources, irrigation staff that can strengthen the embankments and can rescue people by providing transport facilities, boats, tents and ration in emergency condition but from the current situation it seems that Government doesn’t want to give any relief to the affected people. There is no machinery on sensitive areas of embankments, if machinery is available, there is no staff to strengthen the brinks of embankments. Deputy Commissioners are bound to work from offices only, if they receive material for affected people, it is not distributed to actual affectees. Unlike floods of 2010, people have already lost their homes in heavy monsoons, they have left naught to rescue themselves to safer places.Transporters are taking full advantages of compulsions of the devastated people by taking double to triple fairs. Not only this, all the edible things of daily use are highly priced in such areas. For example, if you want to buy one Kg of tomatoes, it costs 600 to 800 rupees per kg. The rents of houses in cities are talking to the sky. Whole burden comes upon only affected people, who lost their homes, cattle each and everything. In such circumstances, the maleficial ignorance of District government clearly indicates the era of extremely worst governance. The responsibility lies on District Government especially Deputy Commissioners who are bound look after the District and to take urgent steps against such felonious people. Concluding the whole scenario, it is the prior responsibility of state to ensure the security of lives of people. I humbly request to all the representatives of Sindh, politicians and Chief Minister Sindh to facilitate the helpless people of their Constituencies for the sake of humanity. Its all because of these people that they are having a luxurious lives. Local and general elections are to come ahead, they have to go to the same people for votes. This is the best time for them to stand with people to rescue their difficulties or else they will never be welcomed again.