At least 50 people have been killed in rain-related incidents in Pakistan in the past four days, as reported by IANS/DPA. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is on high alert as more severe weather is expected to hit the region. The casualties include 21 people in central Punjab, 21 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 8 in Balochistan.
The recent rain and lightning strikes have halted the harvesting of wheat crops in Punjab, posing a threat to agricultural livelihoods. The upcoming spell of rain is likely to further delay the harvesting process and potentially damage the crops. This unexpected weather pattern has caused concern among farmers and residents in the affected areas.
In a region where heavy rainfalls, thunderstorms, and flooding are uncommon outside of the monsoon season, the impact of the extreme weather events is particularly devastating. Despite being responsible for less than 1% of global carbon emissions, Pakistan is among the top 10 most climate-vulnerable nations, facing the brunt of climate change with catastrophic consequences.
The recent history of natural disasters in Pakistan, such as the catastrophic floods in 2022 that affected millions of people, underscores the urgent need for climate action and disaster preparedness. The government and relevant authorities must take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events and protect vulnerable populations from harm.
