South Asian countries continue to reel under the intensifying effects of climate change. Nations like Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Nepal regularly experience deadly floods, rising temperature, melting glaciers, and extreme weather events. Among them, Pakistan remains one of the worst-hit countries despite contributing less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions. The Global Climate Risk Index has consistently ranked Pakistan among the most vulnerable countries in the world_____once listing it as the fifth most vulnerable. The devastating floods of 2010 and 2023 have shown just how serious the threat is. These floods did not only wipe out critical infrastructure and agriculture system- they also claimed thousands of lives and caused economic losses exceeding $30 billion, according to expert estimates.
If we look back at the 2022-2023 floods, the destruction was unprecedented: roads and bridges collapsed, entire communities were displaced, and national economy was pushed further into crisis. More than 1500 lives were lost in the disaster. Yet, despite these warnings from nature, lessons remained unlearned. Pakistan is now confronting monsoon floods which have already claimed 700 lives as of mid-August.
The situation is dire in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), now leading in flood-related deaths, overtaking Punjab, Severe floodinghit KP’s Swat, Buner, Bajaur, Lower Dir, Battagram, and Mansehra districts. Among these, Buner has been the hardest affected area. In addition, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are also grappling with heavy destruction. Weather forecasts warn of more rains ahead, threatening previously affected areas such as Chitral, Mansehra, Kharan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, and Shikarpur with further disaster____both economic and social.
So, What Should Be Done---Right Now?
The international monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended that Pakistan need to allocate 1% of its national budget toward climate change resilience. However, considering the lack of infrastructure and ineffective disaster preparedness programs, this amount is not enough to drive meaningful change in the short term. Instead, Pakistan should increase its climate budget allocation to at least 1.3% -1,4% of the national budget over the next four years. This short-term increase can help fast-track the development of resilient infrastructure__dams, drainage system, embankments and emergency shelters__especially in high-risk areas.
At the same time, agencies like National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) must take urgent
action to remove illegal constructions and clear waterways, enabling
floodwaters to flow naturally and prevent urban flooding. Additionally, both
federal and provincial governments should coordinate through platforms like the
Council of Common Interests (CCI) to create a unified national strategy against
climate change. Climate policy should not be fragmented or politicized; it must
be nationalized. Domestic efforts will not be enough, Pakistan must strengthen
regional and international climate cooperation, including climate diplomacy with
both developed and undeveloped nations. It must actively seek technical support,
early warning systems, green technologies, and international funding for
adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Countries that emit the most greenhouse gases should be morally and financially responsible for helping vulnerable nations cope with the consequences of climate change, Pakistan should make this case on platforms such as the United Nations, COP summits, and through bilateral agreements.
Climate change is no longer a looming threat- it is a present catastrophe. But by taking swift and coordinated action, we can still protect our people, economy, and agriculture. The time to act is now. Islamabad can not afford to lose more lives, livelihoods, and hope to floods that are no longer “natural disasters”, but the predictable fallout of a warming planet.
Scripted by
Ibad ur Rahman
Contact No/ 03491825064
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