New Pakistan monsoon deluge kills 20 people: Local officials
Al Jazeera1 day
Pakistan Floods: Death Toll Crosses 650, 150 Remain Missing
Above: Rescuers backed by army troops and local volunteers continue search and rescue operations in northern Pakistan on Aug. 18. Image copyright: Hussain Ali/Anadolu/Getty Images
The Spin
Government-critical narrative
Pakistan's flood catastrophe — claiming over 1,300 lives and displacing millions — exposes decades of administrative negligence and colonial-era thinking. The government's obsession with mega-dams has worsened flooding while ignoring local wisdom. Salvation lies in decolonized water management, which involves empowering communities, restoring wetlands, decentralizing governance, and prioritizing the voices of women and marginalized groups.
Pro-government narrative
While Pakistan's disaster management faces criticism, officials deployed rescue operations amid unprecedented cloudbursts that struck faster than any warning system could predict. The nation received 50% more rainfall than in previous years, overwhelming existing infrastructure. Pakistan must now invest in climate-resilient systems and prioritize long-term sustainability over political posturing.