In a harrowing turn of events, Central Texas has been ravaged by flash floods that have claimed dozens of lives, displaced thousands, and caused billions in damage. Cities such as Austin, San Marcos, and surrounding rural counties have borne the brunt of nature’s fury, as rivers swelled beyond capacity and urban drainage systems collapsed under the weight of torrential rains. The catastrophe has not only exposed the terrifying power of a rapidly warming climate but also laid bare the systemic failures of weather forecasting, emergency preparedness, and infrastructure planning.

Storm Warning Ignored

The recent deluge, which dumped nearly 15 inches of rain within a 24-hour period in some areas, was not entirely unforeseen. Meteorologists had tracked a low-pressure system brewing in the Gulf of Mexico for days before it made landfall. Yet, local communities received little more than vague warnings. Emergency alerts were either too late or not alarming enough. The National Weather Service (NWS) had issued a flash flood watch—but not a warning—until water had already begun sweeping away cars and homes.

This raises an uncomfortable question: how did a state as technologically advanced and disaster-prone as Texas fail to mobilize in time?

Part of the blame lies in a chronic underfunding of meteorological services and an over-reliance on outdated radar systems. Many rural counties rely on radar data from towers positioned far from population centers, making it difficult to detect localized cloudbursts in time. Moreover, coordination between federal agencies like the NWS and local emergency management often lacks urgency or clarity. This institutional inertia proved fatal last week, when several small communities were caught completely unaware as floodwaters surged through streets and homes in the early hours of the morning.

Government Inaction

Texas is no stranger to extreme weather—hurricanes, droughts, and floods are part of its climatological reality. Yet, year after year, the state government has failed to adequately invest in climate-resilient infrastructure. Billions of dollars that could have gone toward strengthening levees, modernizing storm drains, and implementing early-warning systems were instead funneled into short-term political pet projects.

Governor Greg Abbott, during a press conference, promised swift federal assistance and announced the deployment of the National Guard. But critics argue that such measures are reactive and not preventive. “We keep treating every natural disaster like a surprise,” said one local city council member from Travis County. “But climate change is here. This isn’t a once-in-a-century event anymore—this is the new normal.”

Local officials have also come under scrutiny. In Hays County, emergency evacuation protocols were unclear and inconsistent. Some neighborhoods received reverse-911 calls hours too late, while others heard nothing at all. Residents were forced to rely on social media and neighbors rather than official channels – a terrifying reality in an era when digital connectivity should enhance emergency response, not replace it. 

Lives Lost and Livelihoods Shattered

As of July 11, at least 48 people have been confirmed dead across Central Texas, with dozens still missing. Rescue workers have pulled bodies from submerged cars, collapsed homes, and debris-filled rivers. Entire families have perished in mobile homes swept off their foundations. Emergency shelters are overflowing with people who have lost everything, and many rural hospitals are running on backup generators, overwhelmed by injuries and shortages of staff.

The economic toll is staggering. Preliminary estimates suggest that property damage may exceed $4 billion, including destruction to homes, vehicles, businesses, schools, and public infrastructure. Thousands of acres of farmland have been inundated, destroying crops and livestock, and severely affecting the state’s already fragile agricultural economy.

Small business owners are particularly devastated. “I just finished rebuilding after the 2021 freeze,” said Maria Torres, who owns a bakery in San Marcos. “Now, my entire shop is underwater. Who’s going to help me this time?”

Who is Responsible?

While nature can be capricious, the magnitude of this disaster is not solely a natural phenomenon—it is a manmade failure. Climate experts have long warned that Texas is vulnerable to the increasingly erratic behavior of the jet stream, intensified hurricanes in the Gulf, and unseasonal rainfall due to global warming. But these warnings have largely been ignored by state legislators, many of whom continue to deny the scientific consensus on climate change.

Moreover, Texas’s vaunted independence in energy and infrastructure management has often resulted in a fragmented disaster response framework. The state’s refusal to expand Medicaid or invest in universal health services further burdens vulnerable communities during emergencies. Rural counties, lacking resources and personnel, are often the last to receive aid and the slowest to recover.

Let us  Prevent Another Catastrophe

If Texas is to avoid future tragedies of this scale, a radical shift in policy, infrastructure, and public awareness is needed. Here are five key measures that must be implemented immediately:

Investment in Modern Meteorology: Texas must upgrade its weather forecasting infrastructure by investing in high-resolution radar systems and real-time satellite data integration. Enhanced collaboration between federal and state agencies can improve the accuracy and timeliness of flood warnings.

Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Cities and towns must redesign drainage systems, strengthen levees and embankments, and incorporate permeable surfaces in urban planning to reduce runoff. Building codes need to be revised to ensure homes are flood-resistant, particularly in low-lying and historically vulnerable areas.

Community-Based Early Warning Systems: Local governments should invest in multilingual, real-time notification systems using SMS, social media, and community radio to inform residents of imminent danger. Empowering local leaders and volunteers with training and equipment can bridge the gap in emergency response.

Climate Education and Planning: Public schools should integrate climate education into curricula to foster awareness and preparedness from an early age. Similarly, municipalities should develop and publish climate adaptation plans with input from scientists, engineers, and residents.

A Green Transition: Finally, Texas must acknowledge the climate crisis and take meaningful steps to reduce its carbon footprint. The state, rich in wind and solar potential, should pivot away from fossil fuels and embrace renewable energy as a central pillar of its economy.

The tragedy in Central Texas is not just a natural disaster—it is a collective failure of governance, planning, and vision. As the waters recede and families begin the painful process of recovery, the question remains: will this disaster finally jolt the political leadership into action?

For too long, Texans have been told that resilience means rebuilding after each crisis. But true resilience lies in preventing the next one. Let the tears, the losses, and the shattered lives of July 2025 not be in vain. Let this be a turning point where climate science, government accountability, and human compassion finally converge to protect the people of Texas—not just from floodwaters, but from the flood of negligence that allowed this tragedy to happen.

(Indrajit S. Saluja is Editor of The Indian Panorama)