KP’s Burgeoning Climate Crisis

From February to October 10, 2024, a spell of harsh weather left 27 children dead in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as monsoon rains and floods devastated the province, destroying hundreds of houses. According to a Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) report, 61 people, including 27 children, 22 men, and 12 women, lost their lives in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to rains, landslides, and flash floods. The report further noted that 102 people sustained injuries, 501 houses were partially damaged, and 203 were completely destroyed. The Meteorological Department in Peshawar has predicted that the worst of the heavy rains and floods will continue until August 20th. The department attributes the rise in extreme weather events in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the last ten years to increasing global temperatures.
Among the tragic incidents reported, one particularly heart-wrenching case took place on July 29th in Kohat Dara Adamkhel district. A 70-year-old Malik Abrar ventured outside to investigate a noise and discovered that a house in his village had been struck by lightning. Tragically, it was his brother-in-law Amjad’s family, who had taken shelter in the basement, tragically perished in the ensuing flood. Malik Abrar recounted the heartbreaking moment when he learned that his sister, brother-in-law, children, and other relatives—10 people in total—had lost their lives.
Detailing the rescue efforts in Old Bazi Khel village, Malik Abrar said, “We could not reach the house because the heavy rain hindered the rescue attempt. By the time the neighbours and rescue teams arrived, it was too late to save the family.” Fortunately, Amjad’s brother Waseem and his family, who were on the upper floor, survived the disaster. The deceased included six children, three elderly women, and two men.
Environmental experts and various United Nations (UN) agencies have confirmed that climate change is a key factor behind the rising incidents of floods, heavy rains, droughts, and heat waves.
According to the PDMA, the main cause of deaths in weather-related incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other regions of Pakistan are roof collapses, followed by fatalities due to flooding and landslides.
PDMA spokesperson Anwar Shahzad told the media that thousands of tourists were stranded in the Kaghan and Naran valleys for nearly six days due to the rains. The Frontier Works Organization, with the help of the local administration, constructed a temporary footbridge over the Manwar River in the Mehendri area to evacuate the stranded people. Shahzad added that two dozen hotels and houses, along with several power turbines, were washed away in the floods in a district of Mansehra. Roads in the districts of South Waziristan and Tank were also closed due to flooding but were reopened after the water receded.
The monsoon season, typically from July to September, usually brings normal showers, but with the onset of climate change, the timing and intensity of these rains have become a serious threat. Officials at the Meteorological Department in Peshawar have observed an increase in rainfall patterns over the past five years. The long and light winter rains have been delayed, shifting from December and January to March and April. Additionally, rains that once occurred over four days now fall within a few hours or a single day.
This trend is not unique to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; other provinces in Pakistan are experiencing similar patterns. Short and intense rain spells cause flash floods that can submerge entire areas in minutes. Rising temperatures have accelerated glacial melting, increasing the severity of floods. The interval between floods has shortened, making monsoon-related flooding more frequent in the province.
Pakistan has experienced severe monsoon floods, particularly since the devastating floods of 2010. Monsoon floods have been severe in recent years, with the 2022 floods being particularly devastating. They affected over 30 million people across the country, killed over 1,700 people, and destroyed more than 900,000 homes, causing an estimated $15 billion in economic damage. In March and April 2024, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced record rainfall that resulted in further fatalities and agricultural losses.
This alarming trend was underscored by the tragic loss of 27 children who perished during a 39-day period of relentless monsoon rains. It is widely recognized that the most vulnerable are the hardest hit by the growing environmental crisis, as evidenced by the loss of these children’s lives.
In line with global patterns, a 2021 UNICEF report noted that 1 billion children worldwide face significant risks due to the environmental crisis, highlighting the importance of addressing this issue in regions like Pakistan. In Pakistan, where 30 million children already lack access to basic education due to poverty, climate change presents an additional threat to the nation’s future, posing challenges that are increasingly difficult to address.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an international body under the United Nations, has consistently warned policymakers about the urgent need to address climate change. In 2021, the IPCC highlighted the growing frequency of extreme weather events, including increased instances of floods, droughts, heavy rainfall, and heat waves in both India and Pakistan.
Given the current situation, it is prudent for Pakistan to take innovative initiatives to help the population mitigate the threats posed by climate change. This phenomenon is not reversible in the short to medium term, so the best course of action is to adapt accordingly. Public awareness of climate change, its impact on daily life, and the changes people must make to mitigate these effects is crucial. Educational programs in schools and universities should be launched to engage young people in sustainable practices and climate awareness campaigns, especially using digital platforms. However, they need guidance, which is where provincial and federal governments must step in. A well-considered information campaign should be developed for digital and social media platforms to educate the public about climate change, conservation, the importance of forests, and, most importantly, how to mitigate the impact of these changes. The sooner this begins, the better.