"Not a Flood, but 'Made into a Flood'" — Anger and Solidarity Swirl in South Asia's Summer: The Underlying Impact Behind Pakistan's Devastating Monsoon Floods

1. “The Future of 2050 Has Arrived in 2025”

"We are witnessing phenomena that were supposed to occur in 2050 right before our eyes," lamented Dr. Jakob Steiner, a climate scientist based in Islamabad, during an online press conference held at the end of July. The rapid attribution analysis published by the WWA team on the 6th concluded that the total rainfall from June 24 to July 23 was 10-15% more than the average due to global warming.

2. The Aftermath of the Floods—300 Dead, 1,600 Homes Destroyed

According to provisional figures from the Pakistani government, as of the end of July, there were over 300 deaths, more than 700 injuries, and 1,600 homes destroyed. The northern regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab were particularly hard hit.AP News

Saqib Hasan, a dairy farmer from Sarwarabad (50), lost his home and 18 relatives' homes simultaneously, with losses amounting to 100 million rupees (approximately 140 million yen). "All we received from the government were food and tents. Our cattle were also swept away," he said.

3. Global Warming × Urbanization = "Compound Risk"

In a country where half of the urban population lives in informal settlements, collapsed houses accounted for the majority of deaths. The WWA report warns that "vulnerable living conditions and the climate crisis multiply the damage".

4. The World Did Not Learn from the 2022 Floods

Just three years ago, the 2022 floods resulted in 1,700 deaths, with estimated losses reaching 40 billion dollars. Nevertheless, the international community delivered only a fraction of the promised compensation funds, and the UN points out that "the loss and damage fund covers only a few percent of annual needs."

5. SNS Reflects "Anger" and "Solidarity"

• #PakistanFloods2025 saw a surge in search queries. Telangana Today reported a "nationwide alert" in a breaking news update.X (formerly Twitter)

• The startup media Pakistan Now posted, "We have lived with floods for over 70 years, but this is a 'climate crime.'"X (formerly Twitter)

• The official X of the Meteorological Agency warned, "The melting of the Shishpar Glacier is accelerating rapidly, causing new flash floods in the north."X (formerly Twitter)

• Climate activist @Dr_DrKW criticized major emitting countries, stating, "It's not that 'floods are happening,' but 'floods are being made to happen.'"X (formerly Twitter)

• On Instagram, reels criticizing the "lack of funding" spread widely.Instagram

These posts generated millions of impressions, highlighting the government's slow response and the lack of funds from wealthy nations.

6. The Scientific Implication of a "10% Increase in Rainfall"

The atmosphere can hold 7% more water vapor for every 1°C rise in temperature. Even a 0.1°C increase in rainfall can exceed the threshold of river flow, causing levees to break suddenly. Dr. Mariam Zakaria, the lead author of the report, emphasizes that "a rapid transition to renewable energy is the only long-term solution."

7. The Dilemma of International Politics—"Restoration or Compensation?"

Ahead of COP29, the Pakistani government is expected to request $8 billion annually for "adaptation and compensation," but the purse strings of developed countries remain tight. According to sources in the Ministry of Finance, the funds received by June are less than half of what was needed.Instagram

8. "Grassroots Tech" Advancing Locally

Meanwhile, a team of university students combined real-time location data from X with machine learning to create a shelter congestion map. They successfully guided evacuations in villages where communication was cut off by distributing information via SMS through external modems.

9. The Battle "After the Water Recedes"

Even after the floods end, a long battle with infectious diseases and housing reconstruction begins. Medical NGOs are on alert for a surge in mosquito-borne diseases and are preparing a nationwide vaccination campaign.

Summary of Key Points

1. Climate change has amplified rainfall by 10-15% — WWA rapid attribution analysis.

2. Human and Material Damage — Over 300 deaths, 1,600 homes destroyed.

3. SNS Reactions — #PakistanFloods2025 became a global trend, with anger over lack of funds and policy delays.

4. Structural Vulnerability — Dense urban slums and fragile housing increased the death toll.

5. Next Challenges — Securing funds for COP29 and accelerating "climate-resilient" infrastructure.

Powered by Froala Editor