Climate change is wreaking havoc in Pakistan: PDMA Chief

ISLAMABAD: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a grave warning about climate change impacts in Pakistan, revealing details about recent extreme weather casualties and vulnerabilities.

Director General PDMA Punjab Irfan Ali Kathiya, while speaking to Geo News said that 18 fatalities and 110 injuries occurred during recent storms in Punjab – with a staggering 80percent of damage caused by poorly installed solar panels. “While rain was forecasted, the storm’s ferocity caught us off guard,” Kathiya said.

The official sounded the alarm on Pakistan’s disproportionate climate suffering, noting: “Where global temperatures rise 1-2 degrees, we’re seeing spikes of 4-5 degrees – triggering lethal heatwaves.” He called for emergency measures including mass tree plantations and controlled urban expansion to combat the crisis.

Windstorm, rain claim seven lives across Punjab

Kathiya’s warning comes as Pakistan faces increasingly erratic weather patterns, with experts attributing the intensification to global climate change. The PDMA chief stressed that proper infrastructure planning could significantly reduce future climate-related casualties.

On May 24 at least 15 people lost their lives and 41 others were injured after powerful windstorm and heavy rain wreaked havoc across Punjab. PDMA released a preliminary report on Saturday outlining the damages caused by the storm across the province.

The report said that storm-related incidents claimed seven lives and injured 41 people. One person died in Rawalpindi, three in Jhelum and one each in Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib and Sialkot.

The PDMA noted that the fatalities were primarily caused by the collapse of dilapidated houses and exposure to unsafe structures. Several mud and rundown houses were also damaged due to the storm, according to the PDMA.