Climate Disasters in Northern Pakistan: Hailstorms and Flash Floods a Wake-Up Call

On May 24, 2025, Mingora city was pounded by a severe hailstorm and heavy rain, leading to flash floods, urban chaos, and widespread damage. What seemed like just another bout of intense weather revealed something far more troubling – climate disasters in northern Pakistan.

Hailstorms and Flash Floods a Wake-Up Call to Climate Disasters in Northern Pakistan:

As the dark clouds loomed over Swat Valley on Saturday morning, the residents anticipated rain. What followed, however, was a relentless storm of hail and torrential downpours in the wake of the shifting climate patterns that lashed Mingora and its surrounding areas.

Within hours, the streams and nullahs were full to the brim. They overflowed, breaching their banks and flooding roads, shops, and homes. Major arteries in Mingora were submerged, leaving the vehicles stranded and commuters helpless. The local residents, some of them ankle-deep and others waist-deep in floodwaters, tried to salvage whatever they could.

Situation in the Low-Lying Areas:

In the low-lying areas, the situation was even more dire. Water poured into homes, damaging furniture, electronics, and food supplies. The commercial properties also suffered, with shopkeepers in the city’s main markets reported significant losses due to waterlogged goods. The streets turned into rivers, and traffic came to a standstill.

A Man-Made Catastrophe of Drainage Crisis that Follows Rains Due to Climate Disasters in Northern Pakistan:

While the rain was intense, the residents blamed the city’s deteriorating drainage infrastructure for the scale of the disaster. They termed it the same story every time after the shifting climate patterns.

“The moment it rains heavily, the drains overflow. This city was never upgraded to handle the weather today.” This sentiment is echoed across many urban centers in Pakistan, where the rapid urbanization, encroachments on natural waterways, and neglected infrastructure mean that even a few hours of rain can turn into a humanitarian crisis. Outdated sewage systems and blocked drainage channels fail to redirect rainwater, turning minor roads into torrents.

Flash Floods: A Deadly Threat in the Hills

Mingora’s topography is a mix of valleys and hills, which only worsens the situation when water has no exit route. Beyond the city, the hilly outskirts of Swat face the risk of flash floods. The continuous rain has saturated the soil, raising the chances of landslides and sudden torrents.

The local authorities have issued warnings to the residents living near the riverbanks and flood-prone zones. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has also deployed teams and placed rescue units on high alert. Helicopters and emergency response units stand by, but the threat remains real, particularly with the Meteorological Department forecasting more rain in the coming days.

A Bigger Picture of Climate Disasters in Northern Pakistan and Extreme Weather:

This disaster, like many others around the globe, is not an isolated event after the intensity of climate disasters in northern Pakistan.  It is part of a virtual growing pattern of climate change-induced extreme weather. Warmer temperatures are disrupting traditional weather cycles, and making the storms more intense and unpredictable. Pakistan, despite contributing relatively little to the global carbon emissions, is among the top 10 countries that are the most vulnerable to climate change.

What’s more, its mountainous north is seeing accelerated glacial melt, while cities in the south face drought and heatwaves. In between, the places like Swat are increasingly experiencing erratic rainfall and flooding. According to climate scientists, the rising global temperatures increase moisture-carrying capacity of atmosphere. This results in sudden, intense downpours , which is a phenomenon clearly visible in the events like the Mingora hailstorm.

The Consequences of Climate Disasters in Northern Pakistan:

Such incidents of hailstorms and irregular rains that were once rare in this region, are now becoming alarmingly frequent and severe. This event, also tragic in its own right, is another warning bell to the intensity of climate disasters in northern Pakistan. It is not just about the hailstorm or rainfall, but a consequence of the shifting climate patterns, aging urban infrastructure, and unpreparedness.

Moreover, the disaster points to a disturbing global trend of rising temperatures, extreme floods, heatwaves, droughts, increased rainfall, and melting glaciers, Whereas, Pakistan is already ranked among the most vulnerable countries to climate change. It is faced with devastating floods since 2010.

The 2022 floods alone caused billions in losses and affecting millions. The unprecedented floods submerged approximately one-third of the country, killed more than 1,700 people, and left 33 million affected. The damage was staggering at about $14.8 billion in infrastructure losses, $15.2 billion in economic disruption, and nearly nine million people were pushed into poverty. This trend continues to worsen, with significant risks to water security, agriculture, and economic stability, though Pakistan is developing adaptation and mitigation strategies.

The 2025  heavy monsoon rains and floods have so far inflected heavy losses. The figures highlighting the losses are not just statistics, but each flood is both a natural phenomenon and an economic event. The latest catastrophes underscore Pakistan’s vulnerability to the evolving dangers of climate change. Pakistan’s Changing Climate is not just random variations in weather; but a clear sign of the deepening climate crisis brought on by global warming.

Human Cost of Inaction in Climate Disasters in northern Pakistan:

When climate change meets unprepared cities, the results are, indeed, devastating. Beyond the physical damage to homes and shops, the mental and financial toll on citizens is always profound. The children miss schools, the daily wage workers lose income, and the families spend their savings on repairs.

In the disaster-prone areas, repeated events like these are pushing communities further into poverty. Recovery takes time, however; with another storm always on the horizon, it often feels like running in place.

Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) provinces are the worst affected by heavy rains, thunderstorms, strong winds, and floods. The devastation that began with the latest spell of pre-monsoon rains still continues, deepening climate change and extreme weather in several parts of Pakistan.

The Need for Climate-Resilient Cities:

The Mingora hailstorm is a call for immediate and comprehensive action in view of the intensity of climate disasters in northern Pakistan. We must prioritize climate resilience, particularly in cities vulnerable to extreme weather. This means:

• Upgrading urban drainage and sewage systems to handle the overflow of water.
• Implementing smart city planning, and discouraging construction on floodplains and improving green cover.
• Establishing early warning systems to alert the citizens before a disaster strikes.
• Investing in the climate education at the community level so that the people understand risks and responses.
• Building an infrastructure that considers future climate scenarios, and not only the current needs.

A Role for Everyone in Reducing the Intensity of Climate Disasters in Northern Pakistan:

The governments and planners certainly bear the bulk of the responsibility, however; the citizens also play a role. By avoiding littering, particularly the plastic waste that clogs the drains, is a simple but powerful step. Supporting the local environmental groups by participating in reforestation campaigns, and holding the authorities accountable,  are some other ways to contribute the greater cause.

The intensity of climate disasters in northern Pakistan is not a distant threat anymore. We should keep this fact in mind that it’s here. And every hailstorm, flood, or drought is a reminder that adaptation is no longer optional, but it’s essential.

Looking Ahead:

With more rainfall expected, Mingora City remains on the edge. Emergency services are on  the alert, and the residents hope for the best. However, unless serious efforts are made to address both the immediate needs and the underlying causes of such disasters, the next storm may be worse than the previous.

As we rebuild and recover, let’s also rethink about it. The storm at Mingora must serve as more than just a news item, it must be made a turning point in how we understand and act on the intensity of climate disasters in northern Pakistan.