Unraveling Pakistan’s Weather Crisis: The Impact of Rising Temperatures and Changing Monsoons on Flooding

Pakistan is facing another harsh monsoon season. The northern areas, especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Punjab, are hit the hardest. So far, the floods have claimed over 700 lives. This toll is higher than last year’s. The swift floods, caused by sudden heavy rain, have destroyed homes, lives, and vast fields.

Recent events show how extreme weather is becoming common. In simple terms, a cloudburst happens when a region gets over 100 millimeters of rain in just one hour. This is occurring more frequently in the Himalayas, and experts suggest climate change is a major culprit.

Dr. Sandeep Pattnaik, an Associate Professor at IIT Bhubaneswar, explains, “Mountains make it easy for warm air to rise quickly. When different air masses mix, it creates instability, leading to sudden heavy downpours.” He emphasizes that when clouds gather too much moisture, they release it all at once, causing destructive floods.

The link between climate change and these floods is clear. Global temperatures have risen beyond the limits set by the Paris Agreement. Human activities, like cutting down trees and poor city planning, worsen the situation. The Himalayas could see an 80% loss of glaciers by the end of this century. In places like Sikkim, glacial melting leads to dangerous flash floods.

Rising temperatures not only melt ice but also cause warm water to trap more heat, further intensifying conditions. Meanwhile, shifts in the monsoon’s path and low-pressure systems are increasing rainfalls in Pakistan and northwest India.

Dr. Pattnaik also notes, “As the climate warms, rainfall patterns become erratic. More heat means more moisture in the air, leading to heavier rains.” These floods in Pakistan reflect an ongoing change in monsoon behavior tied to rising global temperatures.

This situation isn’t new for Pakistan. Past experiences teach us that better preparation and sustainable practices can reduce the impact of such disasters. Social media has quickly become a platform for users to express frustration and urge action from local authorities, highlighting the urgent need for effective disaster management.

For more information on the impact of climate change, check out the IPCC report for detailed insights.

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Pakistan floods, climate change, rising temperatures, shifting monsoon, melting glaciers, glacial lake outburst, Himalayas, Western Himalayas, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, environment, India Today Environment