In a climate anomaly that has stunned meteorologists and residents alike, Pakistan has just experienced its wettest April in over six decades. According to a report from Pakistan’s metrology department, the country was drenched with rainfall totaling 59.3 millimetres, more than double the usual average for the month.
The report, released late Friday, highlighted the severity of the situation, with at least 144 fatalities attributed to thunderstorms and house collapses triggered by the heavy rains. Described as the “wettest April since 1961,” the unprecedented rainfall underscores Pakistan’s vulnerability to erratic weather patterns and the devastating impact of climate change.
Zaheer Ahmad Babar, spokesperson for the Pakistan Meteorological Department, emphasized the role of climate change in driving these extreme weather events. With unpredictable monsoon rains looming on the horizon, Pakistan remains on high alert for further disruptions and potential disasters.
This alarming trend comes on the heels of a tumultuous summer in 2022, when one-third of Pakistan was submerged by unprecedented monsoon rains. The resulting floods displaced millions and inflicted an estimated $30 billion in damage and economic losses, according to the World Bank.
While much of Asia grapples with scorching heat waves, Pakistan’s national monthly temperature for April bucked the trend, registering at 23.67 degrees Celsius (74 degrees Fahrenheit). This figure, 0.87 degrees lower than the average, further underscores the unusual nature of Pakistan’s recent weather patterns.
As Pakistan confronts the fallout from its wettest April on record, concerns over climate change and its impact on the region’s weather continue to escalate. With each extreme weather event serving as a stark reminder of the urgent need for climate action, the nation braces itself for an uncertain future in the face of nature’s unpredictable wrath.