Daily Times

Sir: The rain winds and heavy snowfall has gripped the country for last two days. As per news reports more than 83 people have lost their lives during this catastrophic weather in Neelam valley, Kashmir. Two departments manage these affairs ie Pakistan Meteorological Department and National Disaster Management Authority Pakistan.

The Met department is responsible for providing weather forecasts. Had the severe weather reported and made known to the public well ahead of time and had NDMA’s reaction time been quick? The scale of loss of lives would have been reduced if both these departments realized and warn people.

Alas! We always lock the stable after the mare has been stolen. Should not we learn a lesson from our failure or we will continue to blame one another and Nature for harsher weather? It is time to relocate and fix these problems.

IFTIKHAR MIRZA

Islamabad