Thousands of people in Pakistan this summer experienced searing heat waves crossing 50 degrees Celsius (122F) in some places, one that is being attributed to the impact of climate change. Scientists have attributed these heat waves to the climate crisis and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that the frequency of such severe heat waves is likely to increase in the future in the region due to climate change, according to a London-based rights group. From March-May 2022, Pakistan recorded some of the highest temperatures in the country in the last 60 years. 65 persons are estimated to have died in Pakistan including at least three children 5 reportedly linked to the effects of the heat wave- but the actual numbers may be higher.
The heat waves from March to mid-June are now followed by the onset of the monsoon in parts of the country with flash flood warnings and torrential rains causing loss of life and damage to property. A glacial lake also burst due to the combined effect of high temperatures and rain in Laspur Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, blocking roads.
In May 2022, climate change triggered a melting glacier and flash floods damaged a bridge and homes and businesses in northern Pakistan. Previously in 2020, melting glaciers and similar flash floods damaged orchards and livelihoods in Hassanabad in Hunza district, Pakistan. Monsoonal rains in parts of Pakistan like Sindh and Punjab were above normal in June 2022. Pakistan is one of the most affected countries in the world by climate change according to the Global Climate Risk Index published by NGO Germanwatch. According to reports, marginalised groups such as people living in poverty in Pakistan are some of the most impacted by the crisis unfolding, and it may take months to determine the real extent of impact on such groups. Some of the most at risk to severe weather linked to climate change are people with disabilities, women and children, farmers, people living in poverty in urban areas and migrants.
Torrential monsoonal rains in July caused floods, washing away mud homes and make-shift shelters in Quetta with at least six people reported dead due to the floods as of 4 July with the death toll rising. At least 38 people are believed to have died in just three weeks between 14 June and 3 July due to floods and rain-related causes linked to the severe monsoon in 2022. In June alone, national rainfall was estimated to be 68 per cent above normal. Multiple reports reveal how the marginalised groups are the most impacted by the severe weather conditions.
Access to water is also threatened, linked to a drought brought about by the heatwave. Sindh and Balochistan received below normal rainfall during the month of May with mild to moderate drought conditions observed in these areas. The intensity of droughts in Pakistan have increased over the last century, according to the International Food Policy Research Institute.March 2022 was the ninth driest month nationally in Pakistan since 1961. The drought conditions experienced in parts of Pakistan during April and May 2022 and related health concerns were exacerbated by a deadly cholera outbreak coinciding with water scarcity in May 2022.
Outbreaks of cholera are linked to inadequate access to safe drinking water.