Last month, a ferocious hailstorm battered Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, incurring damages to cars, solar panels, and infrastructure of the city. On Sunday, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a weather advisory warning for the month of May 2025, reporting hailstorms, strong winds, and heavy rain in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and the surrounding areas due to climate chaos in Pakistan, while urging the residents to take necessary precautions.
Whereas, on May 17, 2025, The Daily Express Tribune reported that the Punjab government is likely to consider closing the educational institutions in the province due to the harsh weather. The Government of Baluchistan has also declared the schedule for long-term summer vacations, from May 17 to July 31, for the schools located in the province’s summer zone.
Climate Chaos in Pakistan and the Country’s Vulnerability:
These unusual moves may seem two extreme and seemingly opposite weather events, but they are not isolated incidents. Instead, the unprecedented and relentless heatwaves or the extreme weather patterns are the latest signs of climate chaos in Pakistan, being on the frontline of climate change, a reality that is becoming harder to ignore with each passing season.
Hail in the Heat by Climate Chaos in Pakistan:
May is typically a month in Pakistan, when the temperature starts soaring across much of the country. The idea of hailstorms occurring in this month might have seemed implausible a few decades ago. However, Islamabad experienced a violent hailstorm last month, accompanied by thunder and strong winds, damaging crops, vehicles, and infrastructure. That means the specific set of atmospheric conditions the hailstorms require, like a mix of warm surface air and very cold upper layers in the atmosphere, are occurring more frequently and with greater intensity points to abnormal temperature fluctuations, one of the key indicators of a changing climate.
Losses to the Farmers by the Climate Chaos in Pakistan:
Farmers in the region reported significant losses, especially those who had just begun harvesting fruits and vegetables. The unseasonal storm came without much warning, catching both the residents and the meteorological departments off guard. These erratic weather events are not only the inconvenient; they are economically damaging and potentially life-threatening.
Early Summer Breaks by Climate Chaos in Pakistan: A Response to Heat Emergency
Although the hailstones battered parts of the north, the plains of Punjab baked under an unforgiving sun. The temperatures soared well above 45°C (113°F) in many cities. Faced with this brutal heat, the government of Punjab likely announced an early start to summer vacations in the schools to protect children from heatstroke and dehydration. This move of early vacations, although necessary, underlines the severity of the situation. The decision reflects the government’s acknowledgment that these weather conditions are not normal, or temporary. This is a reactive measure in response to a much larger, and the looming crisis of climate chaos in Pakistan.
Pakistan: Ground Zero for Climate Extremes
Here, it is worth-mentioning that Pakistan contributes less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it suffers disproportionately from the consequences. From flash floods to glacial melt, or droughts to hailstorms, every corner of the country is experiencing the ripple effects of the warming planet. Heatwaves are becoming more common and even more intense by climate chaos in Pakistan. A study by the World Bank has identified Pakistan as one of the top 10 countries that are most vulnerable to climate change. The urban centers are turning into heat islands, while rural areas are struggling with water shortages, declining crop yields, and livestock mortality.
Geographic and Socioeconomic Conditions Add to Climate Chaos in Pakistan:
Pakistan’s geographic and socioeconomic conditions amplify its vulnerability. On one hand, the country’s diverse geography includes arid plains, coastal areas, and mountainous regions, all of which face different types of climate chaos and related threats. On the other hand, a large portion of the population lacks access to adequate healthcare, or disaster preparedness, and sustainable livelihoods. The twin events of hail in Islamabad and the extreme heat in Punjab are just the latest chapters in the worsening climate narrative. They demonstrate how Pakistan’s weather patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable and more extreme, adding to climate chaos.
A Wake-Up Call for Policy and Preparedness:
The situation presents a powerful wake-up call for the policymakers, and planners, or the citizens. Climate change is no longer a distant or future concern, but happening here and now. The reactive measures are not enough. They must evolve into a long-term planning. We need to ask some difficult, but necessary questions:
- Are our cities designed to withstand the prolonged heatwaves?
- Do our schools have the infrastructure that can protect our children from climate extremes?
- Are we investing enough in the early warning systems and disaster preparedness?
- Are the farmers being supported with climate-resilient crops, or real-time weather updates?
What Can Be Done to Curtail the Climate Chaos in Pakistan?
- Improve Early Warning Systems: Meteorological departments must be equipped with modern technology for predicting and communicating extreme weather events more accurately and swiftly.
- Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: The schools, hospitals, and public buildings must be adapted to cope with both the extreme heat and unexpected storms. This includes better insulation systems, access to clean water, and shaded areas.
- Urban Greening: Cities like Islamabad and Lahore need more green cover to combat the urban heat island effect and climate chaos. Trees, rooftop gardens, and urban parks are no more just luxuries; they are climate necessities.
- Educating the Public: Climate awareness should be a part of the school curriculum and public campaigns. Both the children and adults alike need to know how to avert climate chaos, or protect themselves in extreme weather situations.
- Support for Farmers: Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, which needs immediate attention. Farmers must be supported through subsidies for climate-resilient crops, and better irrigation systems, or insurance against crop losses due to climate disasters.
A Citizen’s Role in a Changing Climate Chaos in Pakistan:
While much of the heavy lifting must come from governments and institutions, the individuals also have to play a vital role in curtailing climate chaos in Pakistan. Small actions, like planting trees, reducing waste, and conserving water, or educating others can make a big difference when multiplied across millions. Hence, raising your voice matters. Demand for better climate policies. Support the eco-friendly initiatives, and join or create community groups focused on environmental protection. The more engaged you are; the more pressure you can exert on decision-makers to act with urgency.
Final Thoughts: The Storm Is Here
The hailstorms, or the early summer vacations are not just weather updates, they are warnings. They are nature’s way of showing us that the climate crisis is not a future problem, but a present danger. With the temperatures continue to rise and weather patterns becoming increasingly erratic, Pakistan must prioritize climate adaptation and resilience at every level of society.
This is not only about protecting crops or avoiding a day in the sun. It’s about safeguarding our future, the future of our children, and the very environment we call home. The question is not whether climate change will affect us, but it already has. The question is how prepared are we to face the threat of climate chaos?
