Millions of people in Pakistan, still recovering from the catastrophic floods of 2022, are once again bracing for disaster as relentless monsoon rains wreak havoc across the country. The devastation has rekindled painful memories for survivors who had painstakingly rebuilt their lives, only to watch them be threatened once again.
A Nation on Edge as Rains Return
On a stormy evening, Fauzia and her extended family of 15 huddled together under a makeshift tent, its top patched with plastic sheets. Two years ago, her home was among thousands damaged in one of Pakistan’s worst-ever floods—a calamity that claimed over 1,700 lives and affected 30 million people. To rebuild, her family borrowed money and sold livestock, managing to construct three rooms. But this year’s torrential rains have damaged their home again, forcing them back into temporary shelter.
“Our children are terrified of the rain now,” Fauzia shared. “Whenever the wind picks up, they cling to us, crying, ‘We will drown.’”
Across Pakistan, millions like Fauzia have barely recovered from the last disaster and are now preparing to lose everything again. Since July 1, at least 285 people have died due to floods, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Authorities Struggle to Respond Amidst Political Instability
Government officials claim they have implemented early warning systems and reinforced embankments along major rivers. However, critics argue that Pakistan’s political turmoil, economic struggles, and security concerns have relegated flood preparedness and climate resilience to a lower priority.
Environmental organizations have accused the government of slow and inadequate relief efforts, weak infrastructure, and rampant corruption. Poor coordination among agencies further hampers disaster response, leaving vulnerable communities to fend for themselves.
A Deadly Combination: Heavy Rains and Melting Glaciers
Pakistan is experiencing a dangerous mix of extreme weather events. Unprecedented monsoon rains, coupled with soaring temperatures, have accelerated glacier melt in the country’s northern regions. This has led to massive runoff, swelling rivers, and submerging villages in the south.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department warns that the torrential downpours are expected to continue for weeks, raising fears of even greater destruction.
Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were Hit the Hardest
The remote district of Upper Dir in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recently witnessed a tragic mudslide caused by relentless rainfall. Twelve people, most of them children, lost their lives when a house collapsed under the weight of the shifting earth.
Meanwhile, Balochistan is also grappling with widespread flooding, damaging infrastructure and disrupting essential services. Gas supplies to several districts, including the provincial capital Quetta, have been severely impacted.
A Climate Crisis Rooted in Global Warming
Experts link Pakistan’s recurring floods to climate change, which has intensified monsoon rains over the years. The 2022 disaster alone inflicted damages worth $30 billion—equivalent to nearly 9% of the country’s GDP.
Sindh province, positioned downstream from other regions, bore the brunt of the previous catastrophe, suffering nearly 1,100 fatalities and the displacement of almost eight million people.
Communities Struggling to Rebuild
Fauzia’s village, Allah Bachayo in Dadu district, was one of the worst affected in 2022. The floodwaters lasted over 24 hours, leaving the region in ruins. Today, despite government promises of reconstruction, basic infrastructure remains largely unrestored.
“We are living in constant anxiety,” Fauzia said. “The stagnant rainwater outside our homes reminds us of the nightmare we endured.”
Electricity remains scarce, and many displaced people still live in makeshift tents. Schools have not been rebuilt, depriving children of their education. The Sindh government initially announced a plan to construct 2.1 million homes, but residents complain that only a fraction of the promised assistance has materialized.
For those who did receive aid, the allocated $1,078 in three installments is grossly insufficient. Shahzadi, a woman in her 50s, supplemented the government grant by selling her goats and jewelry to raise an additional $450.
“We cannot afford to hire laborers,” she explained, mixing cement with her daughter. “The cost of construction materials has doubled since 2022.”
Before the floods, she lived in a three-room house. Now, after two years in a tent, she is building a single room. “It’s not a home; it’s a compromise,” she sighed. “But at least our children won’t be sleeping under the open sky.”
Agricultural Losses Deepen Economic Struggles
The crisis is exacerbated by two consecutive years of poor crop yields due to damaged irrigation systems. Despite the absence of electricity, villagers continue to receive power bills, adding to their financial strain.
Maqbool Ahmed, a 55-year-old farmer, could not plant wheat in 2022 because his fields remained underwater for five months. This year, fearing another flood, he cultivated rice on only half his land—only to see it submerged again.
“With this unpredictable climate, farmers cannot invest in crops,” he lamented. “It only leads to more losses.”
Many farmers, burdened by loans and failed harvests, are struggling to survive.
Rural Exodus: Climate Refugees in Karachi
Thousands of families displaced by the 2022 floods have yet to return home. Many now live in Karachi’s overcrowded slums, trying to adapt to urban life.
Masooda, a 35-year-old mother of three, shares a tiny rental house with two other families, paying $53 per month for rent and electricity. Her family’s home in Dadu, made of mud and straw, was swept away by the floods.
Despite the hardship, she is grateful for the opportunities Karachi offers. Her husband, struggling with poor eyesight, earns $2 a day repairing shoes with their 5-year-old son.
“At least here, my husband has work, and we have a roof over our heads,” she said. “That’s more than we would have if we went back.”
A Call for Urgent Action
As Pakistan braces for yet another wave of climate-induced destruction, urgent action is needed. Strengthening disaster preparedness, improving infrastructure, and ensuring transparent aid distribution must be prioritized to prevent future tragedies.
Without immediate intervention, millions will continue to suffer the devastating cycle of rebuilding, only to see their efforts washed away once again.