In a grim repeat of climate disasters that have plagued Pakistan in recent years, heavy monsoon rains have once again unleashed devastation across the country, especially in Punjab province. Since late June, relentless downpours have claimed the lives of at least 180 people, nearly half of them children, highlighting Pakistan’s continued vulnerability to extreme weather and poor infrastructure in a rapidly warming world.
The past week saw alarming spikes in casualties. On Thursday alone, 65 people were killed across Punjab, with hundreds injured and dozens of homes collapsing. The rains turned roads into rivers, tore through low-lying towns, and left families stranded on rooftops waving shawls, desperate to be rescued.
‘This isn’t just rain anymore — this is a full-blown humanitarian crisis,’ said Kamal Hyder, reporting from Chakwal district. ‘Entire villages are surrounded by floodwater, and even dams have burst under pressure.’
A Nation Submerged
In cities like Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Sahiwal, the images are hauntingly familiar: children wading through waist-deep water, cars submerged, families clutching their belongings as they flee collapsing homes.
The rainfall recorded in Chakwal was staggering: 423 mm in a single day — more than double the usual July average. This deluge overflowed rivers like the Jhelum and Nullah Lai, forcing evacuations and the deployment of the military for rescue operations.
In Rawalpindi, a public holiday was declared to keep residents indoors, but for thousands of families in low-lying areas, even staying home was no longer safe.
The Faces Behind the Statistics
Behind every number is a human tragedy. In Sargodha, 38-year-old vegetable vendor Mahar Hammad shared his heartbreak: ‘The roof of my house is broken. My shop was destroyed. I barely make 1,000 rupees a day, and now I have nothing. Who do I turn to?’
Children, as always, suffer the most. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), more than 85 children have died in the floods. Many were crushed in collapsing homes, while others drowned in overflowing streams. Aid agencies now warn of a second wave of danger — the threat of waterborne diseases like malaria, dengue, and diarrhea.
Seven flood relief camps have been set up in the region, but many say they are overcrowded and under-resourced.
Climate Change: The Silent Killer
Experts and scientists agree this is not just a natural disaster but a result of worsening climate conditions. Pakistan, despite contributing less than one percent of global greenhouse gases, remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate change.
‘Every monsoon is now more deadly than the last,’ said Sherry Rehman, former Minister for Climate and Environment. ‘This is not just bad weather — it’s a warning from nature. We cannot keep rebuilding the same broken systems.’
Pakistan’s vulnerability is amplified by a toxic mix: uncontrolled urban sprawl, poor drainage, outdated infrastructure, and a lack of early warning systems. While monsoon rains are essential for agriculture, their intensity and unpredictability have made them more destructive than beneficial.
A Reminder of 2022
This year’s floods have revived painful memories of 2022, when a third of the country was submerged and over 1,700 people died. Entire communities were washed away, and four million children were left without access to safe water even a year later.
That tragedy led to global pledges for ‘climate justice’ and calls to rebuild with resilience. But two years on, little has changed. The same towns that drowned in 2022 are drowning again — proof that lessons have not been learned.
What Needs to Change
Pakistan’s current crisis calls for urgent action, both nationally and globally:
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Immediate Relief: Rescue operations must be expanded, and flood relief camps need more food, clean water, and medical supplies.
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Urban Planning Reform: Cities must adopt improved drainage systems, flood-resilient housing, and stricter building codes in vulnerable areas.
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Global Responsibility: Wealthier nations must accelerate climate financing. Pakistan cannot shoulder the cost of climate change alone.
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Public Awareness: Communities need education on flood preparedness, evacuation protocols, and health risks during emergencies.
A Wake-Up Call Once Again
Pakistan’s floods are no longer isolated events — they are symptoms of a system under climate stress. From glacial lake outbursts in the north to monsoon deluges in the south, the country is caught between rising temperatures and rising waters.
If the world doesn’t act — and if Pakistan doesn’t reform — the next flood may come sooner and hit even harder.
