Floods Are ‘Failures of Governance,’ Not Nature, Warns Senate

Nadeem Tanoli

Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has strongly criticized the state’s failure to prevent recurring floods, declaring them not as “natural disasters” but as preventable crises stemming from poor governance, mismanagement, and climate inaction.

Chaired by Senator Sherry Rehman, the committee met to review recent flood-related tragedies across Pakistan. Opening the session with a moment of silence for the victims, Senator Rehman denounced the continued use of the term qudrati afat (natural disaster), arguing that it obscures institutional responsibility and deflects attention from systemic failures.

“These are not acts of nature alone. They are the result of human negligence, unregulated development, and lack of preparedness,” Rehman said. She emphasized that worsening flood patterns in Pakistan are driven by deforestation, unchecked construction on waterways, and the absence of climate-resilient infrastructure planning.

The committee deliberated on several specific incidents, including the devastating flood in Saidpur Village, Islamabad. Members underscored how unplanned urban expansion and blocked drainage channels had turned seasonal rains into fatal events.

The committee called for immediate enforcement of environmental laws, stricter oversight of construction near waterways, and coordinated planning between federal and provincial authorities to address future climate risks.

“The term ‘natural disaster’ must no longer be an excuse for failure,” Rehman concluded.