Friends, imagine. It is the month of August, and you have set out to visit the Swat Valley. All around are mountains, green fields, and clear flowing rivers, a scene just like a film scene. But then, suddenly, the mood of the weather changes, and the same rivers take on a horrific form.
The water rises so fast that it sweeps away entire villages. The same situation has happened this year as well, when floods in the northern areas of Pakistan caused great devastation.
According to government figures, more than 300 people died in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Pakistan alone, while the figure for the entire country has reached above 650. Not only did people lose their lives, but thousands of families became homeless, fields were destroyed, and even roads were broken.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Latest Situation (2025) | Heavy rains and floods in Northern Pakistan & Khyber Pakhtunkhwa caused 650+ deaths and displaced thousands of people. |
| Main Affected Areas | Swat, Buner, Bajaur, Gilgit-Baltistan, and parts of Punjab. |
| Causes of Floods | 1. Cloudbursts (100–200 mm rain in just 1 hour) 2. Narrow rivers surrounded by mountains speeding up water flow 3. Melting glaciers 4. Climate change impact |
| Flood History | 2010: Super Flood (1700 deaths, 20 million people displaced) – 2022: Worst flood in history (1700 deaths, agriculture & infrastructure destroyed) – 2025: Already 650+ deaths reported |
| Impact of Climate Change | Every 1°C rise in temperature increases air moisture by 7%, leading to heavier and more destructive rainfall. |
| Deforestation | 2000: Forest cover 20.3% – 2023: Reduced to 16.4% – Around 8000 hectares cut down every year – From 1992 to 2025: 18% overall forest area lost |
| Government Failures | Despite NDMA and early warning systems, many locals reported they never received alerts. Corruption and poor enforcement keep disaster plans limited to paper. |
| Impact on People | 2000+ families displaced – Roads & bridges damaged – Farming wiped out – Tourism industry badly hit |
| What Needs to Be Done? | 1. Cloudbursts (100–200 mm rain in just 1 hour) 2. Narrow rivers surrounded by mountains, speeding up water flow 3. Melting glaciers 4. Climate change impact |
Why does such a crisis occur again and again?
Now the question arises, why does this happen? Is it only nature’s fault, or is there some shortcoming on our part as well?
Swat and the surrounding areas are shaped like a natural funnel. That is, high mountains on both sides and narrow rivers flowing in the middle. When there is heavy rain, the water cannot escape and collects in one place, then flows down rapidly. This is the reason why there is always a possibility of floods and landslides here.
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The monsoon season is at its peak in July and August. During this time, moist winds rising from the Indian Ocean collide with the mountains and cause sudden heavy rains. We also call this a cloud burst. Sometimes 100 to 200 mm of rain is recorded in an hour. When this water comes down with debris, stones, and soil, the scene of devastation becomes even scarier.
Effect of climate change
What is even more worrying is that the pattern of rain is becoming more dangerous every year. Scientists say that with every one-degree increase in temperature, the humidity in the air increases by about 7%. That is, the more the heat increases, the more rain will occur.
A 2022 study reveals that global warming has made rain in Pakistan 50% more dangerous. This time, there was also 60% more rain than last year. Climate change is badly affecting Pakistan.
Deforestation is also a big reason.
There is another big problem here indiscriminate cutting of forests. Trees reduce the risk of floods by absorbing water. But forests are being continuously cut in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In the year 2000, the forest cover here was more than 20%, which has now come down to 16%. About 8000 hectares of forest are cut down every year. The reason is illegal logging, clearing land to build hotels and roads. From 1992 to 2025, the total forest area of Pakistan has decreased by about 18%.
When there are no trees, the flow of water will increase instead of stopping, which makes the flood more dangerous.
Failure of the government and the system
Now it comes to the government and the administration. Floods come every year, people die every year, but the preparations are the same.
After the devastation of 2010 and 2022, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was formed. A system was also installed to give early warning. But this time too, people say that they did not get any warning. Neither SMS came, nor did the siren sound. People fell prey to the sudden flood.
The real problem is the lack of implementation of planning. Plans are made on paper, but due to corruption and negligence, they are not implemented on the ground.
Impact on common people
People of Swat and the surrounding areas have been affected the most. Thousands of families became homeless. Farming was ruined. Roads and bridges were broken, making it difficult to provide relief to far-flung areas.
Remember, these areas are important for Pakistan’s economy. Agriculture and tourism here generate huge income. But due to repeated floods, people are losing hope.
What to do next? Deadly Floods in Pakistan: A Tragedy Repeated Every Year
Now the question is how to deal with this problem.
The warning system has to be strengthened. People have to be sent to safe places in time before the flood.
Attention has to be paid to tree plantation. By saving forests and planting new trees, the risk of floods can be significantly reduced.
Better infrastructure has to be built. Old bridges and roads need to be rebuilt using new technology to withstand high flow.
The administration has to be made accountable. Just giving statements will not do anything; it is important to work on the ground.
People’s awareness has to be increased. The local community should be trained in ways to avoid floods.
Floods every year are not Pakistan’s fate, but the result of our failure. The effect of climate change is visible, but if we take action in time, we can reduce the damage.
Pakistan is among the countries of the world that are most affected by climate change. If the government and people do not wake up even now, the situation may worsen in the coming years.
It is hoped that in the coming times, some lessons will be learnt from this incident and attention will be paid to real work and not just paper promises. Otherwise, the next time the flood will bring even more destruction.
Friends, what do you think? Will Pakistan be able to take the right steps to avoid these floods, or will the situation worsen in the coming years?
My name is Farhad Dawar and I am graduate of the Institute of Media and Communication Studies Bahaddin Zakariya University Multan Pakistan. I’m passionate about journalism and media, and I believe in journalism of courage, uncovering the truth, and shaping the future.
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
- Farhad Dawarhttps://dawartimes.com/author/admin/
