Pakistan’s unusually heavy monsoon rains to affect 200,000 people, a top UN official warns

The United Nations is warning that up to 200,000 people in Pakistan could be affected by the upcoming monsoon season, which is expected to bring heavier rains than usual, Arab News reported yesterday.

Mohamed Yahya, the UN’s Resident Coordinator in Pakistan, said the weather forecasters are projecting above-normal rainfall in the coming weeks, though not as severe as the devastating floods of 2022 that killed 1,739 people.

Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change, with melting glaciers and intensifying monsoon rains. The 2022 floods caused over $30 billion in damage to the country’s fragile economy.

The UN has prepared a $40 million contingency plan to respond to any emergencies, working closely with Pakistani authorities. Meanwhile, a recent heatwave has forced many to stay indoors as temperatures reached 48°C.