Rain-and-wind storms across Pakistan, with hail in parts of the Punjab, have wreaked havoc on a populace totally unprepared for them. As many as 25 people are reported dead. Scores have been hospitalised with injuries. On Sunday, a dust storm in Karachi had caused considerable damage. Flashflood warnings have been issued for those living in the foothills. At another level, the disaster has exposed the workings of government agencies and the routine disregard of building bylaws. Most of the deaths and injuries on Sunday and Monday were caused by collapsing buildings and large publicity boards. There appears to be a pattern to this already. With the approach of the monsoon rains municipalities wake up every year to violations of building rules and the hazard of dangerous buildings, slapping the inhabitants with notices to move out, only to postpone the exercise once the rains stop. Our heart goes out also to the four fishermen missing on the seas. It goes without saying that they should have heeded the weather forecast. One prays for their safe return. The damage done by the storms has not been limited to urban areas. The mid-April hailstorm has devastated the wheat crop in several areas. Unlike the February rains which had raised hopes of a bumper crop, the current spell has caused gloom among farmers. At most of the wheat farms in several parts of the Punjab, the crop is likely to yield less than half of the normal harvest following the freak hailstorm that battered the crop for more than two hours. The storm shattered a significant proportion of grain from the ears. Besides the wheat losses, the farmers will be forced to delay the sowing of the cotton crop. The farming eco system is quite fragile. A disturbance like this typically has a dominoes effect that goes on for a whole year. The mango orchards and the vegetable crops are also likely to be affected. The government and the communities must take stock of the situation before the monsoon sets in and consider the measures to be taken to limit the damage. The local governments need to pick up their lists of dangerous buildings and issue eviction orders. Where remedial work is possible, funds should be allocated to help the affected families. Large publicity hoardings should be examined for structurl safety and removed where necessary. The crop insurance scheme the Punjab government has piloted in a few districts should be extended to the rest of the Punjab and introduced in other provinces. A loss assessment survey should be undertaken immediately and the affected farmers compensated. Last but not least, such shock storms should be a reminder that climate change is not a fiction or fantasy. *