LAHORE:
Like many Global South countries, Pakistan is also currently with the strong worst climate change. While heat waves are the most visible manifestation of extreme temperatures, this year the unprecedented duration and intensity of the Monzón season has raised alarms among meteorologists.
Climate experts are the opinion that climate change is severely impacting Pakistan, particularly the province of Punjab, where rain has been unusually heavy and frequent. In comparison with previous years, rain records have exceeded normal levels in areas that previously saw a less intense climate since the increase in global temperatures has interrupted the monozonic system in the region. In particular, the growing temperatures in the Arabic Sea and the Indian Ocean have led to more monzónic winds loaded with moisture, resulting in heavier and prolonged downpours.
Pdma spokesman, Chaudhry Mazhar, confirmed that the Monzón season began earlier this year. “Usually, the Monzón season begins around July 15, but in 2025 it began as soon as on June 25, previously considered a phase prior to the monsoon. The first rains of this year were exceptionally intense, and now it is expected that the monzón that the monsoon will not continue until at least in mid -September. Every monzón, this year, this year has been extremely strong, breaking the previous records of rain, trend will continue in the coming weeks, “.
According to the latest figures obtained from the Department of Meteorological and the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the Chakwal district registered 423 mm of rain in a single day between the night of July 16 and 17; The highest in any place of Punjab this season. During the first half of July 2025, the rain in Punjab exceeded normal levels by 73 percent. The reports of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and PDMA have indicated that in the fourth spell of the monsoon, not only Punjab, but the entire country received much more rain than the seasonal average. In general, Punjab has seen an increase of 30 to 36 percent in rains this season compared to previous years.
Meteorologists have estimated that if the rain of the normal monzón for Punjab is between 800 and 900 mm, the total of this year has already crossed 1,000 mm and could reach 1,200 mm at the end of the season. Despite the alerts issued by the Department of Meteorology and PDMA, local administrations were not prepared for unprecedented downpours and now react as if it were a natural disaster.
Dr. Saadia Khalid, an expert in climate change, declared that monsoon rains have become more powerful and are now following unconventional routes. “This is the reason why regions such as Punjab, which rarely saw such an intense rain, are now experiencing a strong increase in the volume and intensity of rain. In addition, urbanization, deforestation and changes in the use of the Earth are worsening the impact of these rains. The main cities in Punjab have lost much of their ability to absorb natural water, which makes it harder to tear the rain to tear the rain to tear the rain. which leads to frequent urban floods, “, which is removed by Dr. Kalid.
Therefore, experts have agreed that if immediate measures are not taken on carbon emissions, land management and devise a climate policy, extreme climatic patterns, including heavy rains and floods, they will become the new normality in Punjab.
