Islamabad:
As Pakistan departs for a 13% increase in the rain during the 2025 Monzón season, environmental experts warned that inappropriate drainage infrastructure could exacerbate flood risks and economic losses.
The Department of Meteorology of Pakistan (PMD) predicts the monsoon to begin around June 23 and continue until September, with possible sudden floods and urban floods, particularly in regions such as KOH-E-Suleman, Sindh, AJK, KPK, Punjab and Islamabad.
Experts emphasize that without proactive maintenance of drainage, such as cleaning debris and eliminating blockages, the country faces important economic repercussions.
Floods induced by the Monzón have historically inflicted severe economic damage throughout the south of Asia. For example, the floods of 2020 in the region caused an estimate of $ 105 billion in damages, with Pakistan only representing $ 1.5b of that total. Similarly, in 2024, Nepal experienced floods that resulted in more than RS17B in losses, mainly affecting agriculture and infrastructure.
These recurring disasters underline the urgent need to improve drainage systems to mitigate economic losses and improve resilience against future floods.
In Islamabad, sectors such as G-10, F-10, I-10 and I-9 face chronic drainage problems. The drains are often obstructed with solid waste, including plastic bags, bottles, food waste and construction debris.
During the monsoon, these drains are even closer to the ground, sand and shrubs, significantly reducing their capacity and making water overflow in residential areas. Residents have repeatedly urged authorities to clean and maintain these drains to avoid property damage.
Environmental experts highlight that the worsening of the flood situation is not only due to the increase in rainfall, but also to climate change, careless infrastructure and insufficient public awareness about the consequences of discharging waste in drainage channels.
Informal settlements, particularly in sectors such as G-6, F-6, G-7, F-7 and G-8, are often found along the drainage channels. These areas have a high risk of flood water intrusion, which can cause significant damage to the infrastructure.
Experts recommend issuing timely advertising to these communities to take the necessary precautions. Experts point out that the accumulation of sediments in drains reduces their width and capacity. For example, a drain that once had 100 feet wide can have only 50 feet wide due to sediment accumulation.
This narrowing increases the risk of overflow and floods, since the same volume of water is forced through a much narrower channel. Low cost houses, especially those with basements or illegal connections with drains, are particularly vulnerable to flood water intrusion.
Experts urge the authorities to prioritize the maintenance of drainage and infrastructure improvements before the monsoon season. Proactive measures, such as regular cleaning of drains and public awareness about the importance of proper elimination of waste, are essential to mitigate flood risks and economic losses.
The environmentalist Muhammad Aslam urged the authorities to take immediate measures in informal settlements, particularly in sectors G-6, F-6, G-7, F-7 and G-8, where many houses are built along the drainage channels.
“These areas are highly vulnerable to floods, and residents should receive timely warnings to take precautions,” he said. Aslam also stressed that sediment accumulation is drastically reducing drainage capabilities.
“A drain that once had 100 feet wide now has about 50 feet due to the not controlled accumulation,” he explained. He warned that low -cost houses, especially those with basements or illegal drainage connections, have a serious risk.
