Monsoon season has arrived in Pakistan, ushering in its signature thunderstorms and dust storms. For many, this short yet enchanting spell is a welcome reprieve, a chance to indulge in crispy pakoras, steaming cups of chai, comforting chillas, crunchy crisps, pancakes, and lively pani puri outings with friends and family.

In Karachi, people flock to the Arabian Sea to savor the rains by the sea shore, enjoying camel rides and grabbing hot chai and pani puri from roadside stalls. It’s a familiar ritual that brings people together to celebrate this fleeting season.

In other cities, where sea views are a luxury not everyone can access, chai and pakoras become the soul-soothing essentials of rainy days. The crackle of fritters in hot oil and the aroma of fresh tea blend perfectly with the sound of distant thunder.

But while the monsoon offers moments of simple pleasure, it also brings a host of serious hazards. Urban flooding can quickly turn streets into rivers, causing road accidents and toppling heavy signboards that injure unsuspecting pedestrians.

Torrential rains recently caused the Pathiyali Mangar stream to swell, sweeping away roads and stranding 150 tourists. Throughout the season, rescue teams remain on high alert, as monsoon months are ironically also the months of tragedies and emergencies.

Karachi’s ambulances wail almost non-stop as cars plunge into open manholes hidden under murky floodwaters, or pedestrians accidentally fall in.

Rainwater often seeps into homes, damaging furniture and belongings as residents frantically try to drain it out or patch up leaking ceilings.

Slippery roads frequently lead to bike skids and crashes. Vehicles stall in knee-deep water, leaving drivers with hefty repair bills. In many places, uninsulated electric wires dangle ominously along sidewalks, posing lethal risks of electrocution. Tragically, there are also reports of people losing their lives to lightning strikes.

The government must pay urgent attention to these recurring dangers. Banners and billboards should be regulated or removed during the monsoon. There is a pressing need for proper drainage infrastructure to prevent waterlogging.

Loose electrical wires must be secured safely on poles, and authorities should publicize active helpline numbers so citizens can get help when emergencies strike.

Manholes should be covered at all times, and when overflow is unavoidable, clear safety signs or cones must be placed to warn approaching traffic.

While monsoon in Pakistan remains a season of beauty and togetherness, it should not continue to be a time of already preventable accidents and loss. Thoughtful planning and accountability could ensure this beloved season is remembered only for its blessings and not for its tragedies.