Deadly Floods Highlight Pakistan’s Growing Climate Crisis

 

Deadly Floods Highlight Pakistan’s Growing Climate Crisis

Islamabad: Over the past weekend, devastating flash floods triggered by torrential rains have claimed at least 32 lives across various regions of Pakistan, once again underscoring the country’s deepening vulnerability to climate change. With warnings now issued for glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), urban inundation, and fresh surges of flash floods, the crisis appears far from over.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has sounded the alarm, warning that the coming 24 to 48 hours could bring more destruction. In many parts of the country—particularly the mountainous north and flood-prone southern regions—the risk of further damage remains high.

These events are a tragic reminder of a problem Pakistan has been grappling with for years. Despite contributing less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions, the country remains among the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world. This is not just a matter of unfortunate geography—it’s a complex mix of natural exposure, poor planning, and rapid urbanisation.

According to Pakistan’s Biennial Transparency Report submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the country has been ranked as the most climate-vulnerable nation globally in 2025. “Pakistan bears immense social and economic costs from recurring climate-induced disasters,” the report states.

Geography and Glaciers: A Dangerous Mix

Part of what makes Pakistan so vulnerable is its unique geography. The country is home to more glaciers than anywhere outside the polar regions. As global temperatures rise, these glaciers are melting faster, causing the formation of unstable glacial lakes. These can burst without warning, unleashing deadly torrents of water into nearby valleys.

At the same time, extreme weather patterns—longer heatwaves, erratic monsoons, and heavier-than-usual rainfall—are becoming more frequent. These shifts put immense pressure on both rural and urban infrastructure, much of which is not equipped to withstand such conditions.

Urbanisation and Infrastructure Gaps

Pakistan’s vulnerability is further worsened by rapid, unplanned urbanisation. Cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad have expanded without adequate drainage systems or climate-resilient planning. In many urban areas, encroachments on natural waterways and green spaces have left nowhere for stormwater to go, resulting in repeated urban flooding.

Rural regions fare no better. Weak governance, limited resources, and inadequate early warning systems mean many remote communities are left defenseless in the face of climate-related disasters.

Policy and Preparedness Lag Behind

While the Pakistani government has made some strides in recognising the threat—launching reforestation drives and disaster risk reduction programs—experts argue that these measures fall short of what’s needed. Implementation is patchy, funding is inconsistent, and local awareness remains low.

The recent floods are a grim warning of what lies ahead if systemic action is not taken. As weather patterns become more erratic and temperatures continue to rise, Pakistan’s already fragile infrastructure and densely populated regions face an uphill battle.

Unless the country ramps up its climate adaptation and disaster preparedness strategies, the toll—both human and economic—is likely to grow even steeper in the years to come.