Islamabad:
While Pakistan is accompanied by a 13% increase in precipitation during the 2025 monsoon season, environmental experts have warned that inadequate drainage infrastructure could exacerbate flood risks and economic losses.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) provides that the monsoon begins around June 23 and will continue until September, with sudden potential floods and urban floods, especially in regions like Koh-E-Suleman, Sindh, AJK, KPK, Punjab and Islamabad.
Experts emphasize that without the proactive maintenance of drainage – such as cleaning debris and elimination of blockages – the country faces significant economic repercussions.
The floods induced by the monsoon have historically inflicted serious economic damage across South Asia. For example, the 2020 floods in the region caused around $ 105 billion in damages, Pakistan, representing $ 1.5 billion in this total. Similarly, in 2024, Nepal experienced floods resulting in more than RS17B in losses, mainly affecting agriculture and infrastructure.
These recurring disasters highlight the urgent need to improve drainage systems to alleviate economic losses and improve resilience against future floods.
In Islamabad, sectors such as G-10, F-10, I-10 and I-9 are faced with chronic drainage problems. Drains are often obstructed with solid waste, including plastic bags, bottles, food waste and construction debris.
During the monsoon, these drains still become obstructed by the soil, sand and shrubs, considerably reducing their capacity and causing overflow in residential areas. Residents have repeatedly urged the authorities to clean and maintain these drains to avoid material damage.
Environmental experts point out that the worsening of floods is not only due to an increase in precipitation but also to climate change, neglected infrastructure and insufficient consciousness of the public on the consequences of waste waste in the drainage channels.
Informal establishments, especially in sectors like G-6, F-6, G-7, F-7 and G-8, are often located along the drainage channels. These areas are at high risk of raw water intrusion, which can cause significant damage to infrastructure.
Experts recommend issuing these communities timely to take the necessary precautions. Experts note that the accumulation of sediment in drains reduces their width and capacity. For example, a drain which was once 100 feet wide can now only be 50 feet wide due to the accumulation of sediments.
This narrowing increases the risk of overflow and flooding, because the same volume of water is forced by a much narrower channel. Houses at low cost, in particular those with basements or illegal connections with drains, are particularly vulnerable to the intrusion of flood waters.
Experts urge the authorities to prioritize drainage maintenance and infrastructure improvements before the monsoon season. Proactive measures, such as regular drains cleaning and public awareness of the importance of good waste elimination, are essential to mitigate the risk of flood and economic losses.
The environmentalist Muhammad Aslam urged the authorities to take immediate measures in informal establishments, in particular in the G-6, F-6, G-7, F-7 and G-8 sectors, where many houses are built along the drainage channels.
“These areas are very vulnerable to floods, and residents should be expressed in time to take precautions,” he said. Aslam also stressed that the accumulation of sediment considerably reduces drainage capacities.
“A drain which was once 100 feet wide is now about 50 feet due to an uncontrolled accumulation,” he said. He warned that low-cost houses, especially those with basements or illegal drain connections are very at risk.
