What has caused the increase in disastrous floods, and can't the government do something to mitigate the issue?
Poor or no drainage is one of the main cause of flooding.
Some heavy rainfall (and with some other natural disasters) can also cause flooding. The flood that submerged one third of Pakistan last year would be beyond drainage. Although some flood would have been avoid if drainages are well constructed and if people are not turning the drainages into a dumping ground.
The one that happened in Southern Nigeria last year was as a result of heavy rainfall and displace of water from dams in Nigeria and in Cameroon which caused it.
Flood is a natural disaster. Not that some people intentionally caused flooding, but in the process of preventing flooding from occuring, and also saving lives during flooding, some people are provided with jobs and they are making money.
I believe that a variety of techniques are required to avert tragedies like the one in Pakistan. Better infrastructure, such as drainage systems and dams, may undoubtedly help to lessen the impacts of floods, but it is also critical to have regulations in place to protect people from the aftermath of major catastrophes. For example, having emergency assistance funding and immediate action strategies in place can assist to alleviate the suffering caused by flooding. I believe that education is very important in averting calamities such as these. People who understand the hazards of living in flood-prone locations can make better judgments about where to live and how to prepare for possible catastrophes. And it's really awful to watch how some individuals end up profiting of these disasters while others are left suffering.