Balochistan in Crisis: How Climate Change is Disrupting Lives and Communities

It’s early in the morning, but the sun is already blazing over Wadh, a small town in Balochistan, Pakistan. Ghulam Nabi, a farmer, wipes sweat from his brow as he looks at his barren fields. His wheat crop, once thriving, has dried up in the relentless heat.

“This year, we had no rain during the season. When it finally rained, it flooded our crops. We’re unsure how to plan anymore,” he says, squinting against the bright light. “The weather has changed too much—we are losing our way of life.”

Ghulam isn’t the only one facing this struggle. Balochistan, Pakistan’s biggest but least developed province, is battling the severe impacts of climate change. Known for its stunning landscapes and rich culture, it’s now caught in an environmental crisis largely not of its making.

Recently, seven Pakistani cities ranked among the hottest places on Earth. Dera Ismail Khan reached a scorching 48.4°C, while Jacobabad hit 48°C. Even areas in Balochistan, like Sibi, reported temperatures around 47.4°C. These heatwaves are becoming a routine part of summer, according to climate monitoring groups. The human toll is even more concerning.

“In southern districts like Gwadar and Badin, rising seas have made freshwater scarce, hurting local fishing,” shares Dr. Rahila Jamali, an environmental scientist based in Quetta. “People in Balochistan are suffering because of global emissions, despite their small carbon footprint.”

In Awaran, Gul Bano, who is 38, walks nearly five kilometers daily to fetch water. “We used to get it from a nearby well, but it dried up three years ago. Now we rely on a tanker that comes twice a week, if we’re lucky,” she explains.

Balochistan is grappling with chronic water shortages, worsened by climate change and inadequate infrastructure. Many communities depend on inconsistent water deliveries as natural springs and wells dry up.

As a result, people are moving away. “In my village, five families left for Karachi last year,” says Gul Bano. “They said there’s no life left here.”

In response, the Balochistan government has announced a Climate Change Fund to address these rising threats. Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti stated that this fund aims to support efforts in adapting to and mitigating climate impacts.

“We face extreme effects of climate change—from heatwaves to floods,” Bugti said. “We must act now to protect our environment and our people.”

Environmentalists and civil groups applaud this move. “It’s a necessary step,” says Muhammad Ibrahim Baloch, Director of Environment and Climate Change in Balochistan. “We are focusing on sustainable solutions like tree plantations, awareness campaigns, and improved urban planning.”

Challenges remain significant. A World Bank report from 2022 warns that Pakistan risks losing up to 20% of its GDP by 2050 due to climate disruption, with provinces like Balochistan bearing the brunt.

The aftermath of past disasters is also poignant. The 2022 floods impacted a third of the country, displacing over 33 million people and costing about $30 billion. Balochistan was particularly hard-hit.

Shabana, a 19-year-old from Khuzdar, lost her home and school to the floods. “I remember waking up to screams as the water rushed in. We just ran away,” she recalls. “We lived in a tent for months.”

Floods are just one part of the crisis. Areas like Gwadar are experiencing rising seas that contaminate freshwater, devastating the fishing industry.

“Our shrimp catch has halved,” says Abdul Karim, a fisherman from Pasni. “Many of us are leaving fishing to find jobs in cities, but it’s hard when we lack education and the cost of living is high.”

A report supported by Oxfam indicates that climate change is driving rural communities into cycles of poverty and food insecurity. It highlights rising gender inequality, with women and girls facing the brunt of these changes.

Experts note that the effects of climate change are not gender-neutral. The UN estimates that 80% of those displaced by climate disasters globally are women.

“In Balochistan, rural women often gather water and firewood. When these resources dwindle, their burden grows,” explains Dr. Noreen Ahmed, a gender and climate researcher. “Girls frequently drop out of school to help at home.”

“During the last flood, many women lacked access to sanitary supplies and private restrooms,” she adds, pointing to basic needs often overlooked in emergencies.

Muhammad Ibrahim Baloch emphasizes environmental action, urging citizens to plant trees and conserve water. “Balochistan’s beauty and biodiversity are precious. We must safeguard them for future generations.”

In Wadh, farmer Ghulam Nabi’s uncertainty looms. “My son wants to leave for Karachi. He believes farming has no future,” he says quietly. “But this is our land—if only the weather would be kind again.”

The struggles in Balochistan are tough, but stories like Ghulam’s remind us that the fight for climate justice is personal. In a province often overlooked, the quest for a sustainable future continues—one step, one drop of water, and one moment of resilience at a time.

For more insights on climate change in Pakistan, you can refer to the World Bank’s Climate and Development Report.

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Balochistan climate crisis, Pakistan heatwave, water scarcity Balochistan, climate migration Pakistan, environmental justice South Asia, TFT, Friday Times