Urban flooding

THE warning from the disaster management and weather authorities that a new monsoon spell could trigger urban flooding in major cities across Punjab and Sindh is yet another reminder of how poorly prepared our cities are for heavy rainfall. Cities from Rawalpindi, Lahore and Multan in Punjab, to Hyderabad, Umerkot and Tando Allahyar in Sindh, have been flagged for urban flooding. This is not unusual during the monsoons. However, what makes this year’s warning worth pausing on is the Met Office’s forecast of below normal rainfall this year. Still, less rainfall will not eliminate the risk of flooded cities if a burst of rain arrives faster than the ground and drains can carry it away. This…