Pakistan, July 24 -- The clearest picture of Pakistan's monsoon failure lies in flooded underpasses and washed-out bridges. Both have become routine. That alone should ring shrill alarm bells across all corners. Torrential rain has washed away roads and bridges in GB, disrupting travel where communities depend on precarious corridors. Lahore received 343 millimetres of rain in 48 hours. Water accumulated at more than 130 points, underpasses closed, and streets held three to four feet of water.

Punjab's disaster authority has recorded 21 deaths and 154 injuries this monsoon, including 15 deaths from collapsing buildings. Electrocution, lightning and drowning made up the rest. Another 22 died in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while 23 had been injured...