ISLAMABAD: At least 143 people died in Pakistan from lightning strikes and other storm-related incidents in April, with the country receiving more than twice as much rain as usual for the month, officials said Tuesday. The country, grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods, landslides, and inclement weather, faces a grim reality as the death toll continues to climb.
According to officials, Pakistan witnessed a staggering 164 percent increase in rainfall compared to normal levels for the month, a phenomenon attributed to the specter of climate change.
Zaheer Ahmad Babar, spokesperson for the Pakistan Meteorological Department, underscored the alarming trend, stating, “We have observed these erratic weather patterns as a direct result of climate change.” The implications of such erratic weather patterns pose a dire threat to Pakistan’s vulnerability to unpredictable weather events, including the impending monsoon rains expected in July.
The brunt of the devastation was felt most acutely in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where 83 persons died, including 38 children. Anwar Shahzad, spokesman for the province’s disaster management authority said that these people lost their lives due to roof collapses and landslide incidents that ravaged communities and displaced thousands from their homes.
In Punjab, agricultural losses compounded the tragedy as hailstorms spoiled wheat harvests, a staple food for millions. Maryam Shabbir Abbasi, an environmental expert, highlighted the need for recalibrating agricultural calendars to mitigate the impact of unprecedented rainfall patterns.
The toll of April’s merciless rains extended beyond Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, with Balochistan province witnessing 21 fatalities, including victims of lightning strikes.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Sindh province also bore the brunt of the climate change-induced disaster, with fatalities reported in road accidents and floods.
The specter of 2022’s catastrophic monsoon rains, which submerged a third of Pakistan and incurred billions of dollars in damages, looms large as the country confronts the mounting toll of April’s relentless downpours. Meanwhile, Karachi, the nation’s largest city, grapples with scorching temperatures, further compounding the challenges faced by its residents.
