Pakistan Floods: Senator Musadik Malik Highlights Elite Riverbank Culture and Need for Water Infrastructure
August 29, 2025
Wazirabad, Pakistan – Heavy monsoon rains have caused widespread flooding across Pakistan, submerging villages and displacing thousands. An aerial photograph from Chak Ali Sher village in Wazirabad shows houses submerged in floodwater on August 28, 2025. — AFP
Elite Riverbank Culture
Federal Minister for Climate Change, Senator Musadik Malik, said Pakistan suffers from an entrenched elite culture along rivers. Speaking on Geo News’ program Geo Pakistan, he remarked,
“There is no poor man’s hotel on the riverbank — only resorts of the powerful.”
He highlighted that mistrust between provinces over water distribution has persisted for years. “Balochistan believes it is deprived, and Sindh gets water but does not pass it on,” Malik noted.
Telemetry to Build Trust
The minister emphasized that telemetry systems are the solution to end mistrust between provinces. Work on the project has already started and is expected to be completed within a year.
Flood Preparedness and Evacuations
Senator Malik warned that flooding is now affecting Sargodha, and water flow could rise to one million cusecs once rivers converge at Panjnad. Evacuations have been carried out for both people and livestock. In one instance, 30 villagers initially refused to leave but were later persuaded, and floodwaters have since reached the area.
He also pointed out that people cultivating crops inside riverbeds have worsened the flood situation. Malik called for water reservoirs at tehsil and district levels and the creation of natural water reserves across Pakistan to better manage future crises.
Current Flood Situation
Pakistan continues to battle torrential monsoon rains that have caused flash floods, swollen rivers, and filled dams. Since late June, more than 800 deaths have been reported.
India recently released excess water from its dams, increasing river flows in Punjab. According to NDMA, over 210,000 villagers near the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers were evacuated. Pakistan received its third flood warning from India on Thursday for the Sutlej, following previous alerts for the Ravi.
