ISLAMABAD: A top UN official cautioned on Thursday that the upcoming monsoon season, expected to bring higher-than-usual rainfall, could potentially affect around 200,000 people in Pakistan.
In collaboration with local authorities, the United Nations has devised a contingency plan, allocating $40 million for potential emergencies, according to Mohamed Yahya, the newly appointed Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan.
Yahya informed journalists in Islamabad that Pakistani weather forecasters predict above-normal rainfall in the coming weeks. However, he emphasized that these rains would not reach the severity of the 2022 floods, which resulted in 1,739 deaths, destroyed 2 million homes, and submerged up to one-third of the country at their peak.
Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, partly due to its massive northern glaciers, which are melting as air temperatures rise. Warmer air can also hold more moisture, intensifying monsoon rains.
Until recently, public opinion and even some government officials underestimated the potential negative impact of climate change on daily life. However, shifting weather patterns in Pakistan have forced cities to strengthen infrastructure and farmers to adapt their practices.
The 2022 floods caused over $30 billion in damage to Pakistan’s already struggling economy. Analysts and government officials attribute Pakistan’s recent economic growth challenges to man-made disasters, including droughts, heatwaves, and heavy rains, which have severely damaged roads, bridges, power systems, and other infrastructure.
Despite contributing less than 1 percent to global carbon emissions, Pakistan is disproportionately affected by climate disasters. This year, the country recorded its wettest April since 1961, with more than double the usual monthly rainfall.
Yahya mentioned that he is in contact with officials at Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change, who are preparing their own contingency plans for the monsoon season, which runs from July to October.
Earlier this week, Pakistani weather forecasters urged people to stay indoors as the third heatwave of the month began.
A recent study by the United Nations Children’s Agency suggested that Pakistan could prevent 175,000 deaths by 2030 by developing resilient energy systems for its health facilities.
On Thursday, temperatures in various parts of Pakistan soared to 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit), forcing many to stay indoors. Authorities are advising people to stay hydrated and avoid unnecessary travel.
