Flash floods in Pakistan have been testing its resources and resilience, worsening the country’s ongoing economic and political crises. More than 800 people have lost their lives, and widespread devastation has affected homes and infrastructure.
The floods have put immense strain on the country, which is already grappling with skyrocketing inflation and an economy dependent on foreign loans. On the political front, turmoil continues with former Prime Minister Imran Khan imprisoned for over two years.
How is the situation?
Rivers are overflowing across major provinces—Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan. KP was initially the worst-hit, but now the fury of nature has shifted to the crucial province of Punjab, where much of Pakistan’s leadership hails from. Army units have been deployed across six badly affected districts to assist in rescue operations.
While floods in KP were caused mainly by heavy rainfall, Punjab’s crisis stems from both torrential rains and water released from Indian dams.
What do satellite images show?
Satellite images reveal that the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers have surged to alarming levels. On Tuesday, Pakistani authorities announced that India had opened all gates of the Thein Dam on the Ravi and the Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej. India had earlier issued two warnings of planned water releases as the Madhopur Dam in Indian Punjab was rapidly filling up.
Lives & Livelihoods Lost
Since June 26, more than 7,200 houses have been partially or fully damaged and over 650 km of roads destroyed. According to Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), more than 5,500 livestock—crucial for rural livelihoods—have also perished. As of two days ago, over 1,000 people had been injured, including 203 children.
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