A terrible flood in Gilgit-Baltistan recently claimed the lives of six members of a single household. Within hours, generations were exterminated. Survivors of the catastrophe are left with nothing but sorrow and shattered memories of those they loved who perished in the rushing waters. Life will never be the same for them, yet they are not seen by the media or the government.
A different family in a different community is still looking for their 6-year-old child who was washed away by the floodwaters. Weeks have passed, and the boy's body has still not been found. It is impossible to describe the family's suffering as they wait by the riverbanks in despair and hope without any assistance from authorities. Their anguish is a metaphor for the innumerable unsaid tragedies that are occurring in Gilgit-Baltistan but hardly ever make national news.
The government's tardy and uncaring response only makes the suffering worse. Words of relief and rehabilitation don't really mean much to the sufferers. There is no comprehensive climate adaptation plan, no disaster-resilient infrastructure, and no robust early warning system. Rather than being proactive and prepared, authorities only show up after the damage has already happened, if at all. Such indifference feels like abandonment to families who have lost six members or a child who has gone missing.
The crisis is made worse by the national media's and climate campaigners' silence. At forums and conferences, activists speak, but the actual voices of mountain villages are not heard. The floods, however, receive little coverage from Pakistani news outlets, which prioritize celebrity stories and political spectacles over the lives of people. The world community is mostly in the dark and the administration lacks a sense of urgency in the absence of media pressure.
what should government do??
Gilgit-Baltistan requires immediate and decisive action to end this cycle, not only sympathy:
In valleys that are at high risk, declare climate emergencies.
Create robust infrastructure and early warning systems.
Assist impacted families directly and compensate them.
Make sure these tales are covered by the media so that people throughout the world can hear them.
Urge civic society and activists to raise flood victims' voices.
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