HEAVY rainfall and a moderate windstorm brought tragedy to Peshawar on Friday as at least 16 people, many of them children, were killed in weather-related incidents.

Most of the victims died when the walls and roofs of their homes collapsed, while over 80 people were injured as trees, signboards and electricity poles were uprooted. Similar rain-related destruction is often witnessed in other parts of the country; for instance, earlier this month deaths resulted from heavy showers in Karachi.

Though it is difficult to completely insulate ourselves from nature’s fury, long- and short-term steps can be taken to mitigate the effects of inclement weather. These include raising awareness and being prepared. In this regard, the Sindh government has published ads in the media detailing what precautions to take during the monsoon season. While such warnings are timely, especially during the rainy season, civic agencies are often ill-prepared to deal with natural disasters. For example, while many of the lives lost in Peshawar were due to poor infrastructure, the provincial disaster management authority reportedly failed to inform citizens despite the Met office’s warning of impending harsh weather.

While it is true that citizens must stay abreast of matters and take necessary precautions, the role of disaster management bodies in warning the public and, if necessary, evacuating them cannot be overlooked.

Indeed, the role of provincial and district disaster management bodies needs to be vastly improved. But the state can also play a role to change the way in which structures are built in order to withstand harsh weather.

Every year, many people die when walls and roofs collapse. This is mainly because far too many dwellings in Pakistan are built in a non-scientific manner and cannot stand significant load. The state — perhaps with the help of local and foreign experts — needs to train masons in building more durable structures, especially in low-income localities. Such a step would not require any high-tech interventions or massive funding and yet save many of the precious lives that are lost needlessly every year.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2014