Pakistan’s death toll from this year’s monsoon floods has surged to 802, with over 1,088 injured and nearly 7,465 houses damaged, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The disaster has exposed both the ferocity of climate change and the weaknesses in Pakistan’s preparedness.
Rising Toll Across Provinces
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has recorded the highest fatalities at 479, followed by Punjab (165), Sindh (57), Gilgit-Baltistan (45), Balochistan (24), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (24), and Islamabad (8). Among the dead were 480 men, 119 women, and 203 children.
Punjab reported the most injuries (584), while KP recorded 347. Meanwhile, thousands of homes were damaged, including 4,243 in KP and 1,642 in AJK.
Evacuations and Rescue Efforts
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, chairing a high-level meeting, was informed that 174,000 people had been evacuated in Punjab due to the River Sutlej overflowing. He directed officials to accelerate rescue efforts, provide food and medicine, and ensure that tents were available for displaced families.
Authorities said warnings saved lives in some districts despite high flooding in the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers, as well as in Nullah Dek. In Gilgit-Baltistan, repair work continued on submerged sections of the National Highway.
Indian Water Release Raises Flood Fears
Flooding intensified after India released extra water into Pakistan’s rivers, pushing Sutlej’s flow at Ganda Singh Wala to 188,000 cusecs and Chenab’s inflow at Head Marala to 350,000 cusecs. The surge caused breaches in Narowal, Sialkot, and Shakargarh, washing away bridges and damaging crops on thousands of acres.
In Karachi, torrential rains submerged streets, electrocuted residents, and collapsed roofs, while clogged drains worsened urban flooding. Experts say poor urban planning and illegal construction on storm drains have magnified the crisis.
Tragedies in Mountainous Regions
In Buner, the only Sikh cremation ground was swept away, while 18 members of one family were buried together in Chagharzai tehsil. In Shangla’s Khwar Banda, nine family members died, and in Swat Valley, locals relived the trauma of 2010 and 2022 as floods once again swept through villages.
Climate Change and Negligence
PM Shehbaz Sharif reminded that the 2022 floods caused $30 billion in losses and warned that Pakistan cannot handle such disasters alone. He acknowledged that corruption in building permits and poor regulation have worsened the damage.
Former climate minister Sherry Rehman pointed out that deforestation and mining have weakened watersheds, reducing Pakistan’s ability to withstand floods. With just 5% forest coverage, the country remains highly vulnerable.
The NDMA also warned that 7,500 glaciers could melt by 65% in 50 years if temperatures rise by two degrees, further worsening floods.
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