“We Must Learn to Live with Floods”: IRSA Representative Engineer Ehsan Leghari at
Karachi, July 15, 2025 (Press Release): Engineer Ehsan Leghari, Sindh’s representative in the Indus River System Authority (IRSA), stated that disasters or floods cannot be entirely controlled, and therefore, we must learn to live with them. He emphasized that natural disasters and floods are not caused solely by environmental changes, but also by the level of preparedness and the quality of governance.
He made these remarks while addressing a seminar held today at a local hotel in Karachi, organized jointly by MetaMeta Research Netherlands and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh. The purpose of the seminar was to reflect on the lessons learned from the 2022 floods and to discuss strategies to minimize the damage caused by natural disasters.
Engineer Ehsan Leghari highlighted several potential causes for the 2022 floods, including the incomplete Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) and Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) projects, weak barrage embankments, and encroachments on canal banks. He noted that the floods of 2010 and 2022 revealed the vulnerabilities in Sindh’s flood management systems, stressing the need for a solid preparedness strategy to reduce losses.
Other speakers included PDMA’s Director of Operations Muhammad Shayan Shah, DG of the Water Sector Improvement Program Nazeer Memon, Salim Ur Rehman Sheikh, Imran Leghari, Muhammad Suleman G. Abro, Sarwan Baloch, and others. The discussions centered on disaster causes, lessons learned, preparedness, and increasing public awareness.
Ashfaq Soomro, Country Head of MetaMeta, shared that the organization has been active for 25 years and operates in 10 countries. He said MetaMeta has conducted extensive research on the causes and impacts of the 2022 floods in Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab. He added that 20 million people were affected by the 2010 floods, while the number rose to 31 million in 2022.
Notable attendees included Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, journalist Zufeen, Sahar Gul Bhatti, Nasir Panhwar, Dr. Ali Akbar Hangorjo, Fozia Aziz, and others.
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