Pakistan Faces Devastating Climate Crisis in 2024: A Year of Extreme Weather
As 2024 draws to a close, Pakistan is grappling with a climate crisis exacerbated by rapidly changing environmental conditions. From sweltering heatwaves to catastrophic floods, this year has brought extreme weather events that have left a lasting impact on communities across the nation.
In addition to the devastating floods and droughts, cities experienced historically high levels of smog, creating a severe health crisis as the air quality worsened. Here’s a timeline of major climate events in Pakistan throughout 2024:
January-March 2024: Rising Temperatures and Prolonged Droughts
The year began with alarming heat in Pakistan’s northern and southern provinces, where prolonged droughts and water shortages plagued agricultural regions such as Sindh and Balochistan. A sharp drop in rainfall during the winter months led to below-average crop yields, and small farmers struggled with severe water shortages. Wheat productivity in these areas declined by 15%, according to the FAO.
The Indus River basin also faced reduced water flow by March, deepening fears of an ongoing water shortage as the main reservoirs of Mangla and Tarbela reported dangerously low levels.
April-May 2024: Record-Breaking Heatwaves
Pakistan faced some of its highest temperatures on record during April and May. Cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Multan saw temperatures soar above 45°C (113°F), resulting in widespread heat exhaustion, dehydration, and hospitalizations for heatstroke. The heatwave severely damaged crops, particularly wheat and cotton, causing a 20% decline in cotton production.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that many people died from heat-related illnesses during this period.
Read More: One Nation, 20 Million Displaced by Climate Change
June-July 2024: Catastrophic Floods
The monsoon season arrived early in June, bringing devastating floods that affected both southern and northern Pakistan. Provinces like Sindh, Balochistan, and parts of Punjab faced massive flooding, with over 200,000 acres of cropland submerged and hundreds of thousands displaced. Flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killed more than 500 people and left millions affected.
Infrastructure was severely damaged, especially in mountainous areas such as Chitral, Swat, and Dera Ismail Khan. The total cost of the damage was estimated at $5 billion.
August-September 2024: The Return of Heat
In August, another intense heatwave swept across Pakistan, exacerbating the already dire situation of the floods. Temperatures reached 48°C (118°F) in Karachi, while power outages and electricity shortages plagued urban centers. The agricultural sector in Sindh suffered further due to the simultaneous heatwaves and floods, with many farmers losing their crops and livestock.
October-November 2024: Smog Crisis and Air Pollution
By October, the climate crisis in urban areas shifted to air pollution, with Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad experiencing the worst smog season in years. Industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and crop burning created a thick haze that lingered for weeks. In Lahore, the air quality index hit hazardous levels, and respiratory illnesses skyrocketed, especially among children and the elderly.
The WHO estimated the air quality index in Lahore at a hazardous 400 micrograms per cubic meter of PM2.5. Hospitals reported a significant rise in respiratory admissions, with around 2,000 people hospitalized in Lahore alone during the peak of the smog. This crisis also took a toll on the economy, with an estimated $3 billion in economic losses attributed to air pollution.
A Year of Crisis for Pakistan’s Most Vulnerable
2024 has been a devastating year for Pakistan, especially for the country’s most vulnerable populations, including rural farmers, women, children, and low-income urban dwellers. As we look ahead to 2025, the need for climate adaptation strategies, improved disaster response systems, and stronger resilience-building measures is urgent. The government, along with international partners, must work to better equip Pakistan to face the growing challenges posed by climate change.
