Over 50 killed in Pakistan monsoon floods since end of June

Monsoon floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains in Pakistan have claimed the lives of at least 50 people, including eight children, since the end of June, according to officials.

The summer monsoon, which occurs between June and September, brings the majority of South Asia’s annual rainfall, vital for the livelihoods of millions of farmers and food security in the region. However, it also brings the risk of landslides and floods.

Most of the fatalities occurred in eastern Punjab province, with causes including electrocution and building collapses. In the north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, search and rescue teams recovered the bodies of eight children buried under a landslide, while efforts were ongoing to find other trapped children. The city of Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city, experienced record-breaking rainfall, resulting in flooded roads and significant disruptions in electricity and water supplies for approximately 35% of residents.

The Meteorological Department has issued warnings of more heavy rainfall across the country, anticipating potential flooding in the catchment areas of Punjab’s major rivers. As a precautionary measure, the province’s disaster management authority is working to relocate people residing near waterways. Scientists attribute the increasingly intense and unpredictable monsoon rains to the climate crisis.

Pakistan, with its fifth-largest population globally, contributes less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions. However, the country is highly vulnerable to extreme weather events exacerbated by global heating. Last summer, unprecedented monsoon rains affected one-third of Pakistan, resulting in extensive damage to 2 million homes and the loss of over 1,700 lives. In early June of this year, storms claimed the lives of 27 individuals, including eight children, in the country’s northwest region.

As Pakistan continues to grapple with the devastating impact of monsoon floods, efforts to mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects remain crucial. The country’s vulnerability highlights the urgent need for global action to address the underlying causes of the climate crisis.