On Sunday, the country’s disaster management body announced that the death toll from the monsoon rains had risen to 1,033, with 119 people dead in the preceding 24 hours. It said this year’s floods were akin to the worst in 2010 when more than 2,000 people died and about a fifth of the country was submerged.
What is happening
Flash floods have swept away villages, roads, bridges, people, cattle, and crops across all four provinces in recent days. Pakistan has requested international assistance after army and rescue teams transported stranded individuals to relief centers and fed thousands of displaced people.
The torrential rains began in June, and an unusual monsoon has affected more than 33 million people or one in every seven Pakistanis. At least 83,000 livestock died in the previous 24 hours, and nearly 300,000 homes have been demolished, multiple roads have been left impassable, and major power shortages have occurred, according to the local media.
It should be noted that as the flood continues, the number of flood-affected people may climb from 33 million, and that this year has been plagued by one harsh season after another, following devastating heatwaves in March and April.
Digging Deeper
During the 2010 flood, one-fifth of Pakistan was submerged and 2000 lives were lost but this seems to be much worse as there are predictions of more rainfall and flooding in September.
Pakistan has the highest number of glaciers outside the polar region and this year, alongside a super-monsoon, the country has witnessed unprecedented glacier melting in the north due to global warming.