For decades, Pakistan has endured the wrath of rains and floods, with devastation striking
every year. Lives are lost, homes destroyed, and livelihoods washed away in the torrent. Climate
change has thrown nature off balance—rains now fall outside their usual patterns, catching
vulnerable communities unprepared. The failure of relevant agencies to plan adequately only
deepens the suffering, leaving millions to bear the brunt of these disasters.
This year, the story has been no different. Meteorologists warned of unusually heavy
rains, and Balochistan, like other parts of the country, bore the brunt. The Pakistan
Meteorological Department revealed that April brought 99% more rainfall than the 30-year
average. Balochistan experienced a staggering 353% increase in rain compared to the norm, with
neighboring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa witnessing a 90% spike. The rains unleashed floods, filled
canals to their breaking point, and triggered deadly lightning strikes.
The people of Balochistan have barely recovered from the catastrophic floods of 2022,
yet they are now facing another series of relentless downpours. The province’s seasons have
flipped—winter feels warmer, and summer has turned colder. The unexpected rains began in
March and show no signs of stopping, forcing schools in certain areas to shut down as a
precaution.
In just a matter of weeks, the rains wreaked havoc. According to provincial government
spokesperson Shahid Rind, “Eight people have died and nine were injured due to lightning
strikes and roof collapses. Among the victims were two women and two children. Around 40
houses have been completely destroyed, and 92 homes have sustained damage.” Infrastructure
has been equally affected, with roads washed away and communication disrupted in several
districts. Rind assured that efforts to restore connectivity and assess damages are underway, but
for many, the relief is too little, too late.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti expressed frustration over the lack of
international support. “The province suffered $1.6 billion in damages due to rains and floods, but
despite promises of $2.6 billion for rehabilitation, the global commitment was not fulfilled,” he
lamented. He stressed the need for a united national policy to tackle climate change and called
for provincial consultation to ensure fair resource allocation.
The people of Balochistan, who once battled droughts due to scarce rainfall, are now
contending with unprecedented floods. Villages that once prayed for rain now find themselves
submerged in it. Farmers and pastoralists, already struggling to sustain their livelihoods, are
seeing their lands inundated and livestock lost.
he province suffered $1.6 billion in damages due to rains and floods, but despite promises of $2.6 billion for rehabilitation, the global commitment was not fulfilled,”
largest city, looks like a rural area. Infrastructure is practically non-existent.” He pointed out that
thousands of sanitation staff positions remain idle, with many employees receiving salaries while
staying at home.
Beyond urban mismanagement, deforestation is worsening Balochistan’s vulnerability.
Forests once acted as natural barriers against floods, holding the soil together and moderating the
climate. Today, deforestation has left the province exposed, with less than 4% of its area covered
by forests. Ziarat’s ancient juniper forests, among the oldest in the world, and the olive and pine
forests in Zhob and Sherani, are under constant threat.
A senior officer from the Forest Department stressed the urgency of reforestation: “We
need to plant 1.5 to 2 trillion trees annually in Balochistan to prevent natural disasters.” Yet, the
reality is grim. Efforts to expand forests remain minimal, and illegal logging continues
unchecked.
The neglect extends beyond environmental degradation. The response from government
institutions is often too little, too late. While the national treasury spends millions on disaster
management, the systems in place are reactive rather than proactive. Streets remain flooded,
neighborhoods sink into sewage, and the cycle of destruction repeats with each new monsoon.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Countries around the world have successfully
mitigated the impact of natural disasters through foresight, planning, and investment in resilient
infrastructure. Pakistan, too, has the expertise and manpower to follow suit. The solutions are
clear: empower local institutions, enforce environmental regulations, and invest in sustainable
infrastructure.
For Balochistan’s people, who endure poverty and displacement year after year,
resilience is running thin. Their cries for help echo through the valleys, unanswered. The burden
of rebuilding their lives often falls on their own shoulders, or on the generosity of philanthropists
and welfare organizations.
The time to act is now. Climate change is not a distant threat; it is here, reshaping lives
and landscapes. If Pakistan’s governments, communities, and international allies come together,
they can turn this tide of devastation into an opportunity to rebuild stronger and smarter. The
people of Balochistan, and all of Pakistan, deserve no less.
