The True Post (Web News) Pakistan is currently facing another of the most serious natural crises in its history.
With the onset of monsoon rains this year, rivers overflowed and various parts of the country were submerged in water. Torrential rains and river floods engulfed several districts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan, as a result of which more than 800 people have lost their lives so far while about 1,000 have been injured. A large number of women and children are also among the injured, who are facing further problems due to lack of timely medical assistance. Relief work is being severely affected as hospitals and dispensaries in the affected areas have also been submerged or destroyed.
The worst affected areas are those located on the banks of rivers. Dozens of villages along the banks of the Sutlej and other major rivers have been completely submerged. In Punjab alone, 335 villages have been affected, directly affecting more than 380,000 people. Thousands of them have been forced to leave their homes and seek shelter in temporary shelters or government schools. These displaced families are not only facing food and clean water shortages, but they are also facing increasing risks of diseases. Diseases like cholera, diarrhea and malaria are spreading rapidly in these areas as water supplies have become contaminated and sanitation facilities have become completely ineffective.
The destruction of buildings and infrastructure is also painting a grim picture of the floods. According to official figures, 1,676 buildings have been affected so far, of which 562 have been completely destroyed. Thousands of houses have had their walls collapsed or their rooms have become uninhabitable. Bridges, roads and highways have also become unusable due to flooding or erosion. Water has accumulated for a distance of one kilometer on the Sialkot-Pasurur dual carriageway, blocking traffic, hampering relief operations. Several small bridges in the northern areas have collapsed, completely cutting off land connectivity to villages.
The agricultural sector, which accounts for 24 percent of Pakistan’s economy, has been badly hit by the floods. Thousands of acres of crops have been either completely submerged or severely damaged. Farmers, who were already struggling due to climate change and inflation, have now lost their livelihoods. In just a few weeks, more than 7,000 houses in agricultural areas have been destroyed and more than 5,500 livestock have been swept away by floodwaters. This situation is not only devastating for the economy of the affected families but could also lead to food shortages and rising inflation across the country in the future.
Along with all this, the humanitarian tragedy is also becoming more severe. Millions of affected people are forced to live in the open air or in makeshift camps. Women and girls face special difficulties in shelters, where privacy, medical facilities and access to basic necessities are lacking. Children’s education is also completely disrupted as most schools in the affected areas are either submerged or being used as shelters. This flood is not just a natural disaster but also a clear evidence of environmental change. Experts say that the intensity of rainfall and the unusual flooding of rivers are the result of global warming and environmental mismanagement. The rapid melting of snow in the mountains and unplanned construction have also multiplied the effects of this disaster. This aspect is a dangerous warning for a country like Pakistan, which is already in the grip of an environmental crisis.
Looking back, Pakistan witnessed the most devastating floods in its history in 2022. The floods affected 33 million people, displaced nearly 8 million, and claimed more than 1,760 lives. As a result, Pakistan’s economy suffered losses of over $30 billion. Even then, the world had described Pakistan as an example of a major environmental disaster and the international community had assured it of assistance. Today, this new flood in 2025 is a reminder once again of how serious a reality climate change has become for Pakistan. While the current damage is not on par with the 2022 disaster, it feels like an extension of it in terms of its intensity and impact.
The United Nations and other international organizations have responded quickly. The UN has released $600,000 in emergency aid and has appealed to the international community to show solidarity with Pakistan. However, the facts on the ground indicate that this aid is a drop in the bucket compared to the massive damage. Affected families need long-term rehabilitation, housing, employment opportunities, and health and education facilities. All of this cannot be achieved with local resources; for this, the international community will have to provide large-scale financial and technical support.
According to Pakistani officials, about 20,000 people have been displaced and are living in shelters, while the actual figure could be much higher because relief teams have not yet reached remote villages. The displaced people urgently need clean water, food, medicine and clothing. If these facilities are not provided in time, the death toll could rise further. This flood has once again highlighted the fact that the disaster management system in Pakistan is still weak. Although the National Disaster Management Authority and provincial agencies are engaged in relief activities, lack of resources, destruction of infrastructure and poor planning have limited their work. Volunteers and welfare organizations are also active at the local level, but the extent of the flood is so great that their efforts seem inadequate.
Global experts say that Pakistan needs not just an emergency response but a long-term strategy. This includes building and repairing protective dams along rivers, improving drainage systems, urban planning and environmentally friendly measures. If such measures are not taken, more severe floods could hit Pakistan in the coming years.
