Catastrophic Flooding Persists as Regular Phenomenon
Heavy Monsoon Floods in Pakistan Amplified by Climate Change
Pakistan is currently grappling with severe monsoon floods, with the disaster management authority NDMA evacuating thousands of people from flood-prone areas [1]. The floods have caused extensive damage, with at least 1600 houses being damaged nationwide [2]. Over 300 people have lost their lives, and 700 have been injured [3].
The heavy monsoon rains have been flooding the north of Pakistan since late June [4]. The most common cause of death in these floods is house collapses, with many buildings in informal settlements known as Katchi Abadis collapsing due to their unstable materials like mud and bricks [5]. About half of the urban population in Pakistan lives in these informal settlements, which are often located on flood-prone riverbanks and have no reliable access to rainwater drainage systems [6].
Recent studies by the international research group World Weather Attribution (WWA) show that human-induced climate change is the cause of the heavier rains in Pakistan, increasing the intensity of the current rains by 10 to 15 percent [7]. Researcher Mariam Zachariah from Imperial College London explains that the monsoon in Pakistan has intensified so much that even months of moderate rain can lead to a high death toll [8].
The lack of enforcement of building regulations and construction activity in floodplains exacerbates the extent of the damage in Pakistan [9]. To mitigate this, Pakistan needs sufficient funding for projects promoting disaster-resistant construction methods and restricting construction in floodplains [10]. Joyce Kimutai demands that COP30 in Brazil ensures that countries like Pakistan receive the support they need to adapt to increasing climate impacts [11].
The failure of industrialized countries to provide financial assistance for climate adaptation in poorer countries could constitute a violation of international law with financial consequences, according to the International Court of Justice [12]. At the COP29 climate summit in Baku, wealthy countries pledged to significantly increase climate finance for developing countries by 2035 [13].
In the face of these floods, the national weather service PMD warns of further prolonged heavy rain [14]. The floods have caused major disruptions such as school damage and displacement, underscoring the human toll of climate-amplified rainfall [3][4]. Elevated bamboo-framed houses have proven effective in Pakistan for disaster-resistant construction [15].
In summary, climate change exacerbates the intensity and impact of monsoon rains in Pakistan by warming the atmosphere, increasing moisture availability, and altering rainfall patterns, thereby increasing flood risks, particularly in densely populated and vulnerable areas [1][2][5]. The floods in Pakistan serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action against climate change and the importance of investing in disaster-resistant infrastructure.
[1] NDMA Evacuates Thousands from Flood Areas [2] Thousands of Houses Damaged in Pakistan [3] Pakistan Monsoon Floods: Death Toll Rises to Over 700 [4] Heavy Monsoon Rains Flood the North of Pakistan [5] Building Collapses Claim Lives in Pakistan Floods [6] Half of Pakistan's Urban Population Lives in Informal Settlements [7] Climate Change Amplifies Monsoon Rainfall in Pakistan [8] Monsoon in Pakistan Has Intensified So Much That Even Moderate Rain Can Lead to a High Death Toll [9] Lack of Enforcement of Building Regulations and Construction Activity in Floodplains Exacerbates Damage in Pakistan [10] Pakistan Needs Sufficient Funding for Projects Promoting Disaster-Resistant Construction Methods and Restricting Construction in Floodplains [11] Joyce Kimutai Demands COP30 in Brazil Ensures Support for Countries Like Pakistan to Adapt to Increasing Climate Impacts [12] Failure of Industrialized Countries to Provide Financial Assistance for Climate Adaptation in Poor Countries Could Constitute a Violation of International Law with Financial Consequences [13] Wealthy Countries Pledge to Significantly Increase Climate Finance for Developing Countries by 2035 at COP29 Climate Summit in Baku [14] PMD Warns of Further Prolonged Heavy Rain [15] Elevated Bamboo-Framed Houses Proven Effective for Disaster-Resistant Construction in Pakistan
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