14
By: Ahsan Ansari
In recent decades, the intensity of weather worldwide has increased to alarming levels. Among the most destructive phenomena are cloudbursts and sudden flash floods. These events are no longer unusual or isolated accidents; according to scientists and climatologists, they are the result of rapid global climate change and, particularly, the accelerated deforestation in mountainous regions. Pakistan, India, and other countries in the region are now the most affected by this ecological imbalance.
A cloudburst refers to an extremely heavy rainfall that occurs suddenly over a small area in a short period of time. This usually happens in mountainous regions when warm, moist air masses collide with cooler winds, forcing clouds to release water all at once. In the past, cloudbursts were a natural phenomenon, but in recent years their frequency and intensity have increased alarmingly. A warming atmosphere holds more moisture, which raises the likelihood of these violent downpours. Research indicates that for every one-degree Celsius rise in temperature, the atmosphere can hold about seven percent more water vapor, directly linking cloudburst incidents to global warming.
The destructive impact of cloudbursts has been magnified by large-scale deforestation. Mountain forests act as a natural protective barrier. Their roots hold the soil, absorb excess water, reduce surface runoff, and maintain the balance of the local water cycle. Unfortunately, large-scale deforestation in the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, and Karakoram has destroyed this natural protective system. Vast areas are being cleared for agriculture, construction, and illegal logging. According to international reports, Pakistan is among the Asian countries with the highest deforestation rates, while India loses thousands of hectares of forest every year. Without trees, mountain slopes become prone to erosion and landslides, amplifying the destructive effects of rainfall.
The effects of climate change and deforestation are now evident across South Asia. Pakistan has experienced some of the most destructive floods in recent history. In 2022, record-breaking monsoon rains submerged one-third of the country, displacing millions. Cloudbursts in northern areas repeatedly destroyed villages, washed away roads, and damaged power projects. Cloudbursts have triggered large-scale floods and landslides, wiping out entire communities. In 2023, violent rainfall in the region caused significant loss of human life, along with destruction of critical infrastructure. The broader Himalayan belt is warming faster than the global average, causing glaciers to melt, weakening slopes, and turning sudden torrential rains into a major environmental crisis.
The most severe human, financial, and infrastructural losses are concentrated in northern Pakistan. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), cloudbursts and flash floods often sweep away entire villages. Districts like Chitral and Dir have repeatedly seen homes, schools, and hospitals destroyed. Roads and bridges are often washed away, isolating communities for weeks. Hundreds of families are displaced every monsoon season, and many lives are lost.
In Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), melting glaciers combined with cloudbursts have repeatedly triggered destructive floods and landslides. Valleys such as Ghizer, Hunza, and Skardu have suffered severe damage, with infrastructure, centuries-old cultural heritage, and farmlands washed away. Human lives are lost each year, and the limited medical facilities make survival even more challenging.
The Kohistan region has also been severely affected. Narrow valleys, steep slopes, and poor connectivity make the area particularly vulnerable. Cloudbursts have caused massive landslides, burying villages and blocking the Karakoram Highway, Pakistan’s vital trade route with China. The human toll has been heavy, with families washed away and properties permanently destroyed.
Similarly, Buner, Chitral, and Swat have faced unprecedented devastation, where flash floods have completely destroyed most homes, connecting bridges, and roads. Entire communities were cut off as rivers overflowed and mountain streams turned into torrents. In these districts alone, over 400 precious lives were lost, and thousands were injured or went missing. The destruction of infrastructure left survivors homeless and vulnerable, while the collapse of bridges and roads delayed rescue operations. The scale of devastation in Buner, Chitral, and Swat underscores how climate change and deforestation have weakened human settlements.
The destruction caused by cloudbursts and torrential rains is not limited to natural landscapes; human infrastructure has been equally affected. Roads, highways, and bridges are washed away, isolating entire districts. Hydropower projects, crucial for Pakistan’s electricity supply, often collapse under the force of floods. Agriculture, which depends on balanced rainfall, suffers badly, with farmers losing entire crops overnight. Tourism, a major source of income for mountainous areas, is also severely affected. Every year, reports emerge of tourists trapped or killed in flash floods. The financial cost of these damages reaches billions of dollars annually, an unbearable burden for developing economies.
While local deforestation and poor land management have worsened the crisis, the root cause lies in global climate change. Industrial nations, through excessive carbon emissions, have fueled global warming, yet vulnerable countries like Pakistan and India bear the heaviest consequences. This imbalance is one of the most painful aspects of climate injustice. International cooperation is now more important than ever. Developed nations must provide financial and technological support to help South Asia withstand environmental disasters.
Globally, reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential to slow warming. Locally, Pakistan and India must protect their forests, implement large-scale afforestation projects, and enforce strict laws against illegal logging. Advanced early warning systems for cloudbursts and flash floods are crucial to save lives. Development planning must also be sustainable, ensuring that roads, settlements, and dams are constructed with ecological sensitivity in mind.
The increasing frequency of cloudbursts, floods, and extreme weather in Pakistan, India, and the broader region is a stark warning that the planet is changing rapidly. Forests are disappearing, weather has become unpredictable, and human infrastructure is collapsing under nature’s fury. Without urgent action, both human and economic losses will grow, threatening livelihoods, economies, and ecosystems. South Asia stands at a critical crossroads: it can either continue down the path of environmental neglect or choose resilience by protecting forests, reducing emissions, and preparing communities for a climate-affected future. The choices made today will determine the survival and stability of the region tomorrow.
[Author is a freelance writer and columnist and can be reached at Email. aahsan210@gmail.com]
