National authorities in Pakistan declared a state of emergency as floods continue to devastate the country. Government officials describe the crisis as an epic climate driven humanitarian emergency. The toll rises with at least 937 dead, including 343 children, and around 30 million people displaced from their homes.
In the southern regions, the impact has been severe in Sindh, where more than 300 lives have been lost since the flood began on 14 June. The balance reported by the National Disaster Management Authority through the Dawn newspaper shows significant fatalities in Balochistan, with 234 deaths in Balochistan, and 185 and 165 deaths in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab respectively.
Official NDMA figures show Pakistan received 166.8 millimeters of rainfall, a 241 percent increase over the August average of 48 millimeters. This abnormal rainfall triggered flash floods across the country, with the southern provinces and particularly Sindh bearing the brunt as more than twenty municipalities faced severe inundation.
eighth monsoon cycle
Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman said a national war room has been opened in recent hours to coordinate relief efforts, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The aim is to contend with the scale of the rains and the ongoing emergency.
Officials note that Pakistan is in what they describe as the eighth monsoon cycle. Normally, the country experiences three or four periods of monsoon rain. This season is seen as unprecedented by many researchers, and there is concern that a ninth cycle could begin next month based on current data and trends.
The European Union announced on Friday a humanitarian aid package of 1.8 million euros to support the relief work carried out by organizations operating on the ground. The aid will fund temporary shelter, food supplies, clean water, health services, and cash transfers to affected households. This comes in addition to 350,000 euros previously allocated to assist communities in Balochistan.