# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Monsoon readiness" by Editorial, Published in Dawn on June 21st, 2025:* The editorial highlights *Pakistan*'s chronic unpreparedness for *monsoon rains* despite repeated *urban flooding* disasters that have killed *scores* and cost *billions*. With *PMD*'s alert for *June 20-23*, major cities remain vulnerable due to poor *drainage infrastructure*. *Karachi* lacks funds to clear its *586 drains*, most choked with *sludge*. *Islamabad*'s *G-10*, *F-10*, and *I-9* drains are stuffed with *waste* ready to overflow. *Rawalpindi* only began dredging *Leh Nullah* on *May 26*, with *phase one* ending *June 30* — after the first *monsoon spell*. *Hyderabad* officials admitted on *June 19* that key drains remain *blocked*. The *water resources minister*'s *June 5* directive for "immediate clearance" reveals poor planning despite past experiences. *Drain cleaning* and *power-line fixes* remain seasonal rituals rather than systematic preparations. The editorial demands immediate emergency measures: *municipal crews* must launch a *drainage blitz*, *pumps* and *inflatable boats* should be pre-positioned in *lowlands*, *FM/SMS/social media alerts* must identify flood-prone streets, and *utility engineers* should secure loose *poles* and *signage*. *Rescue 1122* and *PDMA* teams have necessary equipment but must deploy before disasters strike. Long-term solutions require a *legally binding monsoon calendar* completing *drain cleaning*, *encroachment removal*, and *transformer insulation* by *June 1*, with *discretionary funds* withheld from non-compliant agencies. *Nullahs* doubling as *rubbish pits* need widening or roofing, and *feeders* serving low-lying areas should go underground. The *NDMA* should publish an annual *"resilience league table"* naming and shaming laggard cities. The editorial concludes that while *monsoons* are natural, the resulting *flooding* is pure *neglect* that citizens cannot afford year after year. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Pakistani cities* face another *monsoon season* unprepared despite past *flooding disasters*. *Karachi*'s *586 drains*, *Islamabad*'s major drains, and *Rawalpindi*'s *Leh Nullah* remain *blocked* or inadequately cleared. Emergency measures needed include *drainage blitzes*, *pre-positioned pumps*, *street-level alerts*, and *utility preparations*. Long-term solutions require a *legally binding monsoon calendar* with *June 1* deadlines, *NDMA resilience rankings*, and infrastructure upgrades. *Monsoons* are natural, but *flooding* results from *government neglect*. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Launch Emergency Drainage Blitz* Deploy *municipal crews* immediately to clear all *choked drains* before *monsoon arrival*. ## *2. Pre-Position Emergency Equipment* Place *pumps* and *inflatable boats* in *flood-prone lowlands* before rains begin. ## *3. Implement Early Warning Systems* Use *FM*, *SMS*, and *social media* to alert citizens about *flood-prone streets* and areas. ## *4. Secure Infrastructure* Have *utility engineers* brace *loose poles* and *signage* before *monsoon winds*. ## *5. Deploy Rescue Teams* Position *Rescue 1122* and *PDMA* teams with equipment before disasters strike. ## *6. Create Legally Binding Monsoon Calendar* Establish *provincial regulations* requiring *drain cleaning* completion by *June 1*. ## *7. Withhold Funds for Non-Compliance* Hold back *discretionary funds* from agencies missing *monsoon preparation deadlines*. ## *8. Upgrade Drainage Infrastructure* Widen or roof *nullahs* used as *garbage dumps* and bury *feeders* in low-lying areas. ## *9. Establish NDMA Resilience Rankings* Publish annual *"resilience league tables"* naming and shaming unprepared cities. ## *10. Enforce Encroachment Removal* Clear *illegal constructions* blocking *drainage channels* before *monsoon season*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *PMD* issued alert for *June 20-23* monsoon spell. - *Karachi* has *586 drains* requiring clearance. - *Rawalpindi* began *Leh Nullah* dredging on *May 26*. - *Phase one* of *Leh Nullah* work ends *June 30*. - *Water resources minister* issued *June 5* directive for drain clearance. - *Hyderabad* officials met on *June 19* to discuss blocked drains. - *Islamabad*'s *G-10*, *F-10*, and *I-9* drains are waste-clogged. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Pakistan* faces *$1.2 billion* annual losses from *urban flooding* (*World Bank*, 2024). - *Karachi floods* in *2020* killed *41 people* (*NDMA*, 2020). - *Lahore* experienced *6 inches* rainfall in *2 hours* during *2023 monsoons* (*PMD*, 2023). - *Urban flooding* affects *15 million Pakistanis* annually (*UN-Habitat*, 2024). - *Islamabad* receives average *620mm* rainfall during *monsoon season* (*PMD*, 2024). - *Rawalpindi* experiences *40%* of annual rainfall in *July-August* (*Met Office*, 2024). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *How many drains does Karachi need to clear for monsoon preparation?* A. 486 *B. 586* C. 686 D. 786 ### 2. *When did Rawalpindi begin dredging Leh Nullah?* A. May 20 *B. May 26* C. June 5 D. June 19 ### 3. *Which areas in Islamabad have waste-clogged drains?* A. F-8, G-9, I-8 *B. G-10, F-10, I-9* C. F-11, G-11, I-10 D. G-8, F-9, I-11 ### 4. *When should monsoon preparations be completed according to the editorial?* A. May 1 *B. June 1* C. July 1 D. August 1 ### 5. *What should NDMA publish annually according to the editorial?* A. Monsoon forecast table *B. Resilience league table* C. Flood damage report D. Infrastructure ranking # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Waterlogged* (پانی بھرا) – Saturated or flooded with water 2. *Stalled* (رک جانا) – Stopped or brought to a halt 3. *Choked* (بند) – Blocked or obstructed 4. *Sludge* (کیچڑ) – Thick, soft, wet mud 5. *Dredging* (صفائی) – Cleaning or deepening waterways 6. *Blitz* (تیز حملہ) – Intensive, rapid campaign 7. *Pre-positioned* (پہلے سے رکھا گیا) – Placed in advance 8. *Lowlands* (نشیبی علاقے) – Areas below sea level 9. *Inevitable* (ناگزیر) – Certain to happen 10. *Discretionary* (اختیاری) – Optional or voluntary 11. *Nullahs* (نالے) – Open drains or water channels 12. *Encroachment* (قبضہ) – Illegal occupation of land 13. *Feeders* (فیڈر لائنز) – Supply lines or channels 14. *Resilience* (لچک) – Ability to recover from difficulties 15. *Laggard* (سست) – Slow or falling behind 16. *Neglect* (لاپرواہی) – Failure to care for properly 17. *Viral* (وائرل) – Rapidly spreading online 18. *Submerged* (ڈوبا ہوا) – Completely covered with water 19. *Underpass* (زیر زمین راستہ) – Road or path under another 20. *Transformer* (ٹرانسفارمر) – Electrical equipment converter 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. Please be reminded not to remove the attribution label affixed to this article. It is crucial to acknowledge the source and the effort invested in creating this summary. We discourage any unauthorized distribution without proper credit. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 🔍 ⚡ *Explore More Summaries, Solutions, and Vocabulary Meanings* 💡 Join our WhatsApp Channel for timely and comprehensive summaries of the latest articles, along with well-crafted solutions and helpful vocabulary meanings. Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *www.dawn.com* *Monsoon readiness* *Editorial* *~3 minutes* OUR cities are once again staring down the very real prospect of waterlogged streets and stalled life with PMD's latest alert. In recent years, heavy rains in our urban centres have killed scores and cost billions because storm water had nowhere to go. Yet, with the forecasted June 20-23 window already upon us, work remains patchy. Karachi still lacks funds to clear its 586 drains; most remain choked with sludge. Islamabad's G-10, F-10 and I-9 drains are stuffed with waste that will burst into streets once it rains. Rawalpindi only began dredging Leh Nullah on May 26; phase one ends on June 30 — after the first spell. Hyderabad officials, meeting on June 19, also conceded key drains are blocked. The water resources minister's June 5 "immediate clearance" directive shows poor planning despite past experiences. Drain cleaning and power-line fixes remain seasonal rituals. Action cannot wait. Municipal crews must launch an emergency blitz on every choked drain; pumps and inflatable boats should be pre-positioned in lowlands; FM, SMS and social-media alerts must name the streets most likely to go under; and utility engineers should brace loose poles and signage before the first gusts topple them. Rescue 1122 and PDMA teams already possess the necessary gear — they must deploy it now, not after the inevitable viral video of a submerged underpass. Yet this scramble will be repeated next June unless the rulebook is rewritten. Provinces need a legally binding monsoon calendar that completes drain cleaning, encroachment removal and transformer insulation by June 1, with discretionary funds withheld from agencies that miss the deadline. Nullahs that double as rubbish pits must be widened or roofed, and feeders serving low-lying colonies buried underground. Above all, the NDMA should publish an annual "resilience league table", naming and shaming laggard cities. Monsoons may be an act of nature, but the flooding that follows is an act of neglect. Citizens cannot pay for that neglect year after year. *Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2025*