Sm Nahiduzzaman
Islamabad, September 13, 2025 — Pakistan is once again facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis as deadly floods have displaced millions across the country. Officials confirmed that more than two million people have been evacuated from submerged towns and villages, making it one of the largest internal displacement operations in recent years.
A Nation Underwater
Weeks of torrential monsoon rains, intensified by climate change, have caused rivers to swell and dams to overflow, inundating vast swathes of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan. Farmlands lie destroyed, livestock carcasses float in muddy waters, and once-thriving towns now resemble ghostly lakes.
Authorities reported that at least 1,200 lives have been lost, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue teams struggle to reach remote areas. Thousands remain stranded on rooftops, waiting for helicopters or boats to deliver aid.
“This is not just a flood—it’s a humanitarian disaster of historic proportions,” said Sherry Rehman, Pakistan’s climate change minister. “Entire districts have been washed away. We are fighting a war against water, and we are losing.”
Mass Evacuations and Relief Efforts
The Pakistani army, navy, and air force have been deployed to lead rescue missions. Officials said that over two million people have been moved to temporary shelters, often in schools, mosques, and tent cities set up on higher ground. However, the camps are overcrowded and undersupplied.
In Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, citizens are volunteering alongside aid groups to provide food and medicine. “We had to leave everything behind,” said Abdul Rahman, a farmer from Dadu in Sindh. “Our home is gone, our crops are gone, our animals are gone. We only saved our children.”
International aid is beginning to arrive. The United Nations has pledged emergency funds, while the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of an impending health crisis with cholera, malaria, and dengue fever spreading in flood-hit areas.
Economic and Agricultural Devastation
Pakistan’s fragile economy, already grappling with inflation and debt, now faces billions of dollars in damages. The floods have destroyed cotton, rice, and sugarcane crops, threatening food security and export revenues.
Economists warn that the country may face shortages of wheat and vegetables in the coming months, leading to higher prices. “This disaster has wiped out years of progress,” said economist Dr. Farooq Saleem. “We are staring at a food and energy crisis that will test Pakistan’s resilience like never before.”
Climate Change at the Center
Experts stress that these floods are not just a natural disaster, but a direct result of global climate change. Pakistan contributes less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it is among the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world.
“This is climate injustice,” said climate activist Hina Baloch. “We are paying the price for emissions we did not create. The international community must take responsibility.”
A recent study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found that South Asia is witnessing more intense monsoons due to rising global temperatures. In Pakistan, glaciers in the north are melting faster, feeding already swollen rivers during the rainy season.
Voices from the Ground
Survivors’ stories reveal the human cost of the catastrophe:
- “I lost my wife and daughter when our house collapsed,” said Muhammad Yousuf from Rajanpur, breaking down in tears.
- In Sukkur, children walk barefoot through contaminated water, searching for food. Many complain of fever, diarrhea, and skin infections.
- Mothers in relief camps say they have not received baby food or clean water in days.
Amid the devastation, acts of solidarity shine through. Volunteers are seen cooking meals, distributing clothes, and rescuing animals trapped in floodwaters. Social media campaigns are mobilizing donations both locally and globally.
Government Under Pressure
The government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif faces growing criticism over its slow response. Opposition parties accuse officials of corruption and mismanagement in relief distribution.
In a televised address, Sharif urged patience: “We are doing everything possible. This is a challenge beyond politics—it is about survival. Pakistan needs unity, not division.”
Still, frustrations are mounting as displaced families demand faster aid, better shelter, and long-term rehabilitation plans.
International Response
Global leaders have expressed solidarity. The United States, China, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey have announced emergency aid packages, while international NGOs are mobilizing medical teams. However, analysts fear that aid may not be enough to match the scale of the disaster.
“Pakistan cannot recover alone,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “This is a wake-up call for the world to act on climate change. If one of the most vulnerable countries suffers this much, others will follow.”
Looking Ahead
Rebuilding will take years. Roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals across multiple provinces are damaged or destroyed. Millions of Pakistanis face long-term displacement, with many unsure if they will ever return to their homes.
Urban planners argue that Pakistan must invest in climate-resilient infrastructure—stronger dams, better drainage systems, and early warning mechanisms. Without such measures, experts warn, the cycle of floods and displacement will only continue.
For now, Pakistan stands knee-deep in floodwaters, fighting to survive. The voices of those who lost everything echo across the country: calls for help, for justice, and for a future safe from the next inevitable disaster.
Rivers Swell, Cities Drown
Triggered by weeks of record-breaking monsoon rains and accelerated by melting glaciers in the north, the Indus River and its tributaries have overflowed, swallowing towns and villages across Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In Sindh’s Dadu district, villagers fled in boats and on makeshift rafts as muddy torrents swept away homes. In Punjab’s Rajanpur, entire neighborhoods disappeared under water. Satellite images show massive portions of southern Pakistan resembling an inland sea, with only treetops and rooftops visible.
Officials report at least 1,200 deaths, thousands injured, and millions stranded. Hospitals in flood-hit areas are overwhelmed, while doctors warn of a potential second disaster—disease outbreaks caused by stagnant water, poor sanitation, and lack of clean drinking water.
Economic Fallout: Billions in Losses
The floods have devastated Pakistan’s agriculture sector, which employs nearly 40% of the population. Cotton, rice, and sugarcane crops have been wiped out, while thousands of livestock have drowned.
Preliminary estimates suggest economic losses exceeding $15 billion. Food prices have already surged in urban markets, with wheat and vegetable shortages expected in the coming months. Pakistan, which relies heavily on agriculture for exports, now faces the risk of food insecurity and further economic instability.
“This disaster has not only washed away homes and crops, it has washed away livelihoods,” said economist Dr. Farzana Shah. “Pakistan’s economy was fragile before; this will push it to the brink.”
At Last, The deadly floods in Pakistan have left behind not just waterlogged towns, but a nation struggling for survival and justice. With millions displaced, billions in damages, and an uncertain future, the disaster underscores both Pakistan’s vulnerability and the urgent need for global climate action. Recovery will take years—but without long-term resilience, Pakistan may remain trapped in a cycle of devastation.
