THE recent monsoon spell in Islamabad and Rawalpindi has brought on loss of life, infrastructure and vehicles.
In several reports, it has been seen that roads built only recently have succumbed to the intense pressure of flash floods and several vehicles have been swept away along with their passengers, both in the Federal Capital and the city of Rawalpindi. A common factor underlying these tragedies is the fact that unbridled and illegal construction over natural waterways has reduced the ability of the topography and infrastructure to contain the water that accumulates overtime during the monsoon season and with a similar pattern emerging over the years, it seems that this dilemma will only worsen rather than improve.
The majority of damage caused by torrential rainfall in both cities has been observed in housing societies that have been built in accordance with approved layouts and designs but have failed in protecting against such a naturally reoccurring phenomenon. With climate change intensifying the yearly monsoon spell and the world adjusting to changes in the magnitude of these calamities, it is also necessary to revisit the legal structure in which these housing societies have been approved to be developed.
On one hand, illegal construction along and atop the water ways flowing down from the Margalla Hills in Islamabad have led to massive damage in age-old areas like Saidpur Village, whilst on the other hand, housing societies in Rawalpindi have seen that despite elevating the construction of houses to a certain level, the flow of water is still too restricted to be able to contain the pressure caused by torrential rainfall. In the end, it leads to the conclusion that despite all forms of control being exercised on the construction and development of residential and commercial areas, it is simply not sustainable to allow decades-old building control regulations to govern the construction of infrastructure today, owing to massive changes in climate.
Building regulations are essential for mitigating the risks associated with flooding and water-related damage. These rules ensure that new constructions and modifications to existing buildings are carried out in ways that limit the possibility of water infiltration or structural harm. As a result, buildings become more capable of withstanding the impacts of natural hazards. In flood-prone regions, for instance, regulations may mandate the use of raised foundations. Constructing buildings at a higher elevation than the surrounding terrain helps reduce the likelihood of floodwaters breaching the structure.
Beyond flood protection, these regulations also address issues such as internal water damage from plumbing failures like leaks or burst pipes. For instance, they might require the installation of adequate ventilation systems to control humidity and prevent the buildup of moisture, which can lead to structural deterioration. It is believed that unless the legal requirements for development and construction are modified and adapted to the modern day and age, which brings with it heightened risks of flooding and torrential rainfall, this important sector of the economy will only suffer and consumers will be led to face the brunt of it on a yearly basis.
—The writer is contributing columnist.
