The weather challenge and our response

That rains and floods have wreaked havoc in various parts of the country, particularly Chitral and southern Punjab, is a fact that has found its best expression in dozens of swept away suspension bridges, uprooting of road networks and massive damage to crops and livestock. That the misery of the flood-affected people is profound is a fact that could be ascertained from the news reports that after witnessing an unprecedented damage to their property they are struggling for meals and safe drinking water. While hundreds of people in Chitral are still stranded - although a large number of such people have been rescued by soldiers - the relief efforts by provincial and federal authorities are too little and too late. The authorities have failed to respond to the calamity in a timely manner as they are yet to allocate adequate resources available for the affected people. Not only are the provincial and federal governments required to step up efforts towards this challenge, the nation as a whole must act with a view to reaching out to the distressed people without any further loss of time.