As rivers swell and the threat of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) looms amid forecasts of intense monsoon rains, Pakistan once again teeters on the edge of a climate-induced disaster. Since late June, flash floods and collapsing homes have already claimed numerous lives, serving as a grim reminder of the catastrophic floods of 2022. That calamity killed hundreds, displaced millions, and caused an estimated $33 billion in economic damage—prompting the UN to call it a “climate catastrophe.” Yet, nearly two years later, critical gaps in Pakistan’s flood-warning and disaster management systems remain unaddressed.
The recent tragedy in Swat, where a sudden surge in river levels swept away tourists, underscores the continuing lack of preparedness. An official inquiry has pointed to glaring deficiencies in flood telemetry coverage in high-risk areas. Had a functional early warning system been in place, the tragedy may have been averted. The report also highlights the rescue teams’ lack of equipment and capacity—shortcomings that directly cost lives.
Pakistan is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, with an increasing frequency of floods, heatwaves, droughts, and erratic rainfall. But climate change must not become a blanket excuse for what is clearly also a failure of governance and planning. The tools to mitigate disaster risks exist, and many countries have shown that early forecasting and rapid communication can significantly reduce the human toll of extreme weather events. Infrastructure built with climate resilience in mind can similarly soften the economic blow.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairman recently stressed the importance of advance planning, timely alerts, and inter-agency coordination. His words reflect a growing awareness—but awareness alone does not save lives. What remains missing is the political will to translate these intentions into effective action.
Pakistan can no longer afford the complacency that follows each disaster. Every year of inaction raises the cost—in both lives and resources—of rescue and recovery. Despite repeated public statements by top government officials on the devastating impact of climate change, little has been done to invest meaningfully in early warning systems or disaster preparedness. This disconnect reflects a persistent failure to align development priorities with ground realities.
If Pakistan is to break this destructive cycle, it must make a fundamental shift in policy. Vulnerable communities need to be placed at the heart of national planning. This means scaling up investment in telemetry networks, flood-resilient infrastructure, and well-trained emergency response systems. Half-measures and post-disaster scrambling are no longer viable. Only through proactive and sustained action can the country shield its people and economy from the growing threat of climate-related disasters.
