Islamabad: The nation is grappling with devastating floods that have claimed at least 72 lives, damaged properties, and killed livestock, due to accelerated glacial melting following an extreme heatwave earlier this year. The human death toll is anticipated to rise as flash floods and landslides continue to create havoc across the country.
According to Global Voices, disturbing incidents have been reported, including a video showing a family stranded amid a flash flood on the Swat River near the Mingora Bypass in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A group of 22 tourists from Sialkot and Mardan were caught off guard by a sudden flash flood, resulting in the death of at least 22 people in the area. Similarly, in Zhob, Balochistan, four women from a family of six visiting from Multan were swept away by the floodwaters, leaving the remaining two critically injured.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government's lack of preparedness, highlighting the delayed mobilization of rescue teams and essential equipment. Legal actions have been initiated with two petitions filed in the Peshawar High Court (PHC) and Mingora, addressing the incident and alleged official negligence. The PHC has ordered a fair and transparent inquiry, expecting findings within two weeks.
A report by the Malakand commissioner to the Provincial Inspection Team revealed that ongoing construction along the river altered the water flow, misleading tourists about the water level's danger. Despite warnings, the tourists approached the river, and within 15 minutes, the water levels surged, prompting a rescue operation that began 20 minutes later.
Environmental and human-made factors have compounded the crisis. Mining along the Swat River diverts its flow, which, combined with natural landscape and steady flow, makes it ideal for sand and gravel collection. In response, Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur's spokesperson announced a crackdown on illegal mining activities and mandated the construction of protective barriers along riverbanks.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had anticipated the floods, issuing warnings as early as June 19 about pre-monsoon rainfall. Despite this, Pakistan faced unprecedented rainfall levels, with a June Climate Report indicating a 31 percent increase in national rainfall compared to the average. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) consistently issued alerts forecasting heavy rainfall and potential flash floods.
The severe weather conditions were exacerbated by a heatwave, with Gilgit-Baltistan recording historic temperature highs, raising concerns about Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF). The NDMA and PMD issued alerts about accelerated glacier melting, warning of rising water levels and flash floods in downstream areas.
Social media users have expressed outrage towards provincial authorities for their inadequate response, specifically criticizing the lack of helicopter deployment for rescue operations, contrasting it with their use in cricket pitch maintenance. Meanwhile, citizens were commended for their solidarity and support during the crisis.
As tensions with India over water treaties continue, these floods have intensified scrutiny over Pakistan's climate change strategy and governmental readiness, underscoring the urgent need for robust measures to prevent future negligence.