Monsoon in Pakistan always comes more as a burden than a blessing for us. Pakistan is home to a population of more than 250 million people, however when it comes to monsoon rains, the situation goes out of hand of Pakistani authorities.
Every year, the flash floods from monsoon rains wreak havoc across the country and cause unprecedented loss of lives and infrastructure. On the other hand, the authorities responsible for managing the destruction caused by monsoon rains start blame game on one another and don’t pay heed to start disaster preparedness programs in advance so that no loss of life or property occurs.
Urban Flooding Hits Twin Cities Hard:
Yesterday, the twin cities have seen a devastating rain of 240 millimeters in just 24 hours that has caused urban flooding across the region. Videos circulating on social media present devastating scenes with cars and livestock of people floating in the rainwater, causing immense loss to the general public. It should be noted that sirens were also sounded in the city as Nullah Leh’s water level has risen to 22 feet. Citizens living in the vicinity were also ordered to evacuate to safer places as more rain has been forecasted by the Pakistan Meteorological Department(PMD).
Sirens, Evacuation and Panic:
While this is the condition of only one region of the country, the conditions in Punjab and Sindh are worse than this. It is important to note that over the past three weeks, around 124 people have been killed due to monsoon rains including 63 children, as per the report released by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) since June 26.
Pakistan Blames Climate Crisis and Global Inaction:
Pertaining to these statistics, the Pakistani government has blamed the international community for not sending enough assistance to prevent monsoon rains in the first place as they say that Pakistan is the region most vulnerable to climate change.
Numbers Paint a Grim Future:
A report published on climate change and Pakistan, states, “An increase in the number of people affected by flooding is projected, with a likely increase of around 5 million people exposed to extreme river floods by 2035–2044, and a potential increase of around 1 million annually exposed to coastal flooding by 2070– 2100.”
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan’s population suffers more from climate change and its devastating effects including monsoon rains despite contributing less than 1% to the global green gas emissions. The immediate effects of monsoon rains which can be seen in the cities are excessive traffic jams, power failure, water supply cut short, stagnant water on roads and badly damaged roads. It should be noted that South Asian nations including Pakistan receives 70-80% of the rain in its monsoon season that lasts from June to September every year.
As per the statistics, this monsoon season is 60-70% more intense as compared to last year as 4-5 spells are already recorded while more are expected in the coming weeks. Also, the melting of glaciers in Gilgit-Baltistan also puts the general population of the area at more risk.
The Human Cost Behind Headlines:
The most heartbreaking part of this crisis is not just the statistics—it’s the everyday people who are silently suffering. In countless videos shared online, you see a father carrying his child through waist-deep water, unsure where to go. You see mothers standing on rooftops, waving helplessly for aid that might never come. These aren’t isolated scenes—they’re the lived reality for thousands across Pakistan every monsoon season.
Disaster Plans that Never Reach the Ground:
Despite the chaos repeating every year, genuine disaster preparedness remains a dream. There are plans, yes—long, detailed PDFs and high-level meetings—but those rarely trickle down to the streets where it actually matters. For the people on the ground, the alarm only sounds once their homes are already flooded and roads are already submerged. Why must we always react after the damage is done?
When Communities Become Their Own Rescue Teams:
Local communities often end up being their own rescue teams. Neighbors pull each other from floodwaters. Volunteers form human chains to help people cross flooded streets. These are the real heroes, yet they’re barely mentioned in official narratives. With little to no access to proper equipment or training, ordinary citizens are left to fill the gap left by those in power.
Monsoon Rains Are No Longer Just a Season:
Experts have been warning for years: Pakistan cannot afford to ignore its climate vulnerability. The monsoon season isn’t just a weather event anymore—it’s a warning sign, a yearly reminder that the climate crisis is here, and it’s brutal. But in the absence of real, people-centered planning, citizens are left to face it alone, over and over again.
Will 2025 Be Any Different?
If we are to call 2025 a turning point, then our preparedness must go beyond paperwork. It has to reach the streets, the villages, the floodplains. Because the rains will return next year too. The only question is: will we still be watching from flooded doorsteps, or will we finally be ready?
