ISLAMABAD: Vice President of PPP Senator Sherry Rehman has expressed serious concern over the situation in Rawalpindi and Islamabad following torrential rains, saying the flooding in the twin cities has exposed serious weaknesses in the country's disaster preparedness and urban flood management systems.

According to Pakistan Peoples Party, Rehman highlighted the recurring municipal challenges such as unchecked construction over natural drainage channels, poor urban planning, and a persistent gap between development spending and climate-resilient infrastructure as contributing factors to the severe flooding. She emphasized the necessity of integrating preparedness into governance as climate impacts become more frequent.

Senator Rehman criticized the reactive nature of the government's response, stating that discussions on disaster management only occur after significant damage has been inflicted. She noted that the authorities were struggling to cope with the current rainfall, with several areas inundated, and stressed the need for immediate acceleration of rescue and relief operations.

Rehman called for permanent and effective reforms to counter urban flooding, urging federal and provincial institutions to collaborate on a comprehensive strategy. She emphasized the importance of modernizing drainage systems, maintaining storm-water channels, and strengthening flood management and early warning systems.

Pointing to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events due to climate change, Rehman advocated for a long-term environmental and disaster management strategy. She urged Pakistan to learn from regional climate-related disasters, warning of severe consequences if proactive measures are not taken.

In her call to action, Rehman demanded immediate relief efforts, safe evacuations, and the provision of essential services to the affected populations, urging the government to move beyond temporary emergency responses towards establishing a resilient system for managing urban flooding.