The disaster risk management cycle is a recognized instrument for managing disaster events and their impacts. However, the usefulness of the cycle has become questionable in diverse urban settings. Thus, this research uses a pragmatic approach to identify challenges in the effectiveness of the conventional disaster risk management cycle and its phases in the context of urban flooding in Pakistan. Institutions involved in flood risk management were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Three focus group discussions were also held to understand the viewpoints of selected communities. Thematic analysis was used to categorize views and responses under each phase. The analysis reveals that, despite the advent of disaster risk reduction strategies, local institutions are still relying on reactive approaches and are managing flood risk on an ad-hoc basis. Weak governance and limited corrective measures for existing development patterns are making it difficult to manage flood risks. There is an urgent need to perform multi-hazard vulnerability and risk assessment, and develop specific strategies under the philosophies of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. This study recommends the inclusion of climate change adaptation and resilience in the current management cycle for reducing future urban risks.

灾害风险管理周期是管理灾害事件及其影响的公认工具。然而，在不同的城市环境中，循环的有用性已成为问题。因此，本研究采用务实的方法来确定在巴基斯坦城市洪水背景下传统灾害风险管理周期及其阶段有效性方面的挑战。参与洪水风险管理的机构使用半结构化问卷进行了采访。还举行了三场焦点小组讨论，以了解选定社区的观点。主题分析用于对每个阶段下的观点和回应进行分类。分析表明，尽管出现了减少灾害风险战略，地方机构仍然依赖反应式方法，并在临时基础上管理洪水风险。现有发展模式治理不力和纠正措施有限，导致难以管理洪水风险。迫切需要在减少灾害风险和适应气候变化的理念下进行多灾种脆弱性和风险评估，并制定具体的战略。本研究建议将气候变化适应和复原力纳入当前的管理周期，以减少未来的城市风险。并根据减少灾害风险和适应气候变化的理念制定具体战略。本研究建议将气候变化适应和复原力纳入当前的管理周期，以减少未来的城市风险。并根据减少灾害风险和适应气候变化的理念制定具体战略。本研究建议将气候变化适应和复原力纳入当前的管理周期，以减少未来的城市风险。