What Is the Main Cause of the Recent Floods?
Pakistan has been experiencing one of the worst floods in its recent history. According to the latest reports, 4.29 million Pakistanis have been affected by the recent floods. The number is expected to grow as many people are being rescued and evacuated to safer areas.
In this article, we will discuss: What is the main cause of the recent floods? We will also explore how you can assist the survivors of the current floods and why they require your immediate support.
Devastation Caused by the Floods:
Pakistan has been experiencing unprecedented changes in its weather patterns lately. Monsoon, usually a period of relief from unrelenting and oppressive summers, has become a source of destruction. Over the past few years, monsoon rains have been following an unexpected pattern.
This year, floods have been ravaging the country since the end of June. According to reports, over 5.8 million people have been affected by floods nationwide, 2.4 million people were evacuated, and flood waters have entered more than 4,400 villages. Rains have also been affecting the urban parts of Pakistan, especially Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Dera Ghazi Khan. Sindh is on a high alert, and 1.6 million people in the province are at risk.
What is the Main Cause of the Recent Floods?
Several factors contribute to the current situation faced by Pakistan. However, almost all these reasons lead to one root cause: climate change. According to NASA, 2024 was the warmest year on record for the Earth. Moreover, the last decade was the warmest on record. The average temperature recorded in 2024 is almost 1.47 °C warmer than the average temperature in the late 19th century. All those changes are changing the environment, and humanity must act soon to save the planet.
While the situation is disconcerting for everyone, Pakistan is one of the countries that is most affected by these changes.
According to UNDP, Pakistan’s overall share of global GHG is 0.93%. However, the country ranks 150th on the Climate Vulnerability Index ranking. Unfortunately, Pakistan ranks 161 on the Human Development Index.
This year, Pakistan has experienced three related phenomena that have caused mass-scale destruction.
Cloudbursts: The frequency of cloudbursts in Pakistan this year is alarming. As the temperature rises, the atmosphere becomes more humid. This paves the way for orographic lifting, leading to intense cloudbursts.
Melting Glaciers: Due to rising temperatures, the Pakistani glaciers have been melting at a quicker rate than expected. The meltdown has drastically increased water flows in the river, contributing to the ongoing floods.
Flash floods: Increased water flows due to cloudbursts and melting glacier water result in flash floods, which give very little time for safe evacuation. The increase in urban structures and buildings has further increased the probability of flash floods and the damage they cause to communities.
How Should We React?
We all need to adopt eco-friendly practices to help preserve the environment. That is a long-term strategy that will take time, effort, and patience. Meanwhile, we must accelerate our efforts to provide relief to the flood survivors. You can make a donation to Transparent Hands to play your part in helping flood-hit families.
How is Transparent Hands Supporting Flood Victims?
Transparent Hands has been providing free medical and surgical care to deserving Pakistanis since 2014. We were among the first charitable organizations to launch an emergency flood relief response as soon as the floods started.
Our free flood relief camps provide free first aid, medical check-ups, diagnostic tests, and medications. We also organize preventive healthcare sessions at the camps to educate flood victims about the prevention of diseases and health-related issues. We’re also distributing clothes and food packages that include Chickpeas, Red Lentils, Wheat Flour, White Sugar, Oil, Rice, Tea, Red Chili Powder, Iodized Table Salt, Tea Whitener, and Soap. Besides this, we are also going to distribute tents and mosquito nets to flood victims in specific areas.
We aim to support at least 100,000 flood victims from 1000 villages across the country. To achieve that milestone, we require your compassionate support. You can also donate your Sadaqah and other donations through Transparent Hands to save the lives of numerous flood hit-families. .
After learning the answer to “What is the main cause of the recent floods?”, we must take steps to prevent devastation in the future and help the flood survivors. Climate change has been causing cloudbursts, the melting of glaciers, erratic monsoon patterns, and flash floods in Pakistan. All of these matters pose a serious existential threat to Pakistan. While we must come together and deliberate on an effective long-term strategy, we should currently direct our efforts to providing relief to the flood survivors.
Transparent Hands has been working tirelessly to help as many flood survivors as possible. Your assistance will increase the reach and strength of our flood relief efforts.
Save lives by donating to Transparent Hands now!
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