Severe weather conditions, including lightning strikes and heavy rains, have claimed at least 63 lives in Pakistan over the past four days, with the worst-hit regions being Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Baluchistan provinces. The extreme downpour, described as the heaviest in decades, has led to devastating floods and building collapses, leaving a trail of destruction across the country.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province alone, 32 people lost their lives due to collapsing buildings, including 15 children and five women. Additionally, over 1,370 houses have been damaged, and numerous individuals sustained injuries in the northwest region. The eastern province of Punjab reported 21 fatalities attributed to lightning strikes and building collapses, while Baluchistan, in the southwest, recorded 10 deaths, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency in response to flash floods.
Baluchistan, particularly near the coastal city of Gwadar, remains on high alert as more rain is forecasted, intensifying ongoing rescue and relief efforts. The region is grappling with widespread inundation of villages due to flash floods, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive disaster management measures.
The impact of climate change on Pakistan’s weather patterns is increasingly evident, with April experiencing unprecedented rainfall levels. Zaheer Ahmed Babar from the Pakistan Meteorological Department highlighted that Baluchistan has seen a staggering 353% increase in rainfall compared to normal levels, indicative of climate change’s profound impact.
The devastating floods in 2022, which submerged a significant portion of Pakistan and resulted in substantial loss of life and property, underscore the recurring challenges posed by extreme weather events. Pakistan is still in the process of rebuilding from the $30 billion in damages incurred during the 2022 floods, emphasizing the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate climate change’s adverse effects and bolster disaster resilience across the country.
Meanwhile, neighboring Afghanistan has also faced heavy rains, with 33 reported fatalities in rain-related incidents, further highlighting the regional scale of the weather-related challenges confronting South Asia.
