Torrential storms have claimed 178 lives in Pakistan during this year’s monsoon season, with official data released on Tuesday. The broader South Asian region has suffered even more, with over 400 fatalities reported in India and Nepal combined.
The monsoon rains, which occur from June to September, are crucial for alleviating the summer heat and replenishing water supplies, as well as supporting agriculture and ensuring food security for nearly two billion people in South Asia. However, these rains also bring weather-related disasters, with their frequency and severity exacerbated by climate change.
In Pakistan, 92 of the 178 victims were children. The most common cause of death has been the collapse of homes, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warnings have been issued about the potential for glacial lake flooding due to rising temperatures and humidity.
Despite contributing less than one percent to global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change. The country experienced devastating flooding in 2022 that submerged a third of its land, killing over 1,700 people, displacing 33 million, and destroying thousands of homes.
In neighboring India, monsoon rains have also resulted in numerous fatalities. The country, which is the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has been hit hard by a combination of severe heatwaves earlier this year and now intense rains leading to flooding and landslides. Recent heavy rains have caused widespread damage, including a tragic incident in Himachal Pradesh where a car was swept away by a swollen river, resulting in the deaths of nine people.
Nepal has not been spared, with 171 deaths reported since the monsoon began in mid-June. Most fatalities were due to landslides, floods, and lightning. Search operations continue in Chitwan district for two buses that were swept away by a river on July 12, resulting in around 50 deaths.
