Climate under siege

September 24, 2024

ISLAMABAD – The recent past witnessed an unprecedented series of extreme weather events across South Asia and neighbouring regions, with devastating impacts on lives, infrastructure, and economies. A powerful monsoon system wreaked havoc, triggering catastrophic floods, landslides, and storms across India, Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan.

Not too long ago, a thunderstorm-laden monsoon swept into southern Sindh after causing significant damage in India’s Guj­arat and Rajasthan regions. The monsoon, which has been unusually intense this season, brought with it torrential rains, strong winds, and widespread flooding. Major cities were inundated, with low-lying areas submerged and infrastructure damaged.

We saw people being displaced due to rising water levels, with power outages and road blockages hampering rescue and relief efforts. An emergency was declared in parts of the country, as the authorities urged residents to stay indoors. The disaster follows a broader pattern of extreme weather that has gripped the region. Lately too, heavy rainfall has been predicted in certain areas in the week ahead.

In India, the monsoon’s fury and torrential rains, especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan, also led to flash floods that engulfed villages and towns, resulting in significant loss of life and property, with thousands rendered homeless. Emergency services were stretched to their limit, and conducting rescue operations in flooded areas and providing relief to affected populations was difficult.

Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, too, felt the impact, with landslides triggered by the relentless rains. Entire villages were buried under mud and debris, with rescue efforts hampered by treacherous conditions. Further