Islamabad:Climate change is no longer a distant concern for the twin cities. It is reshaping rainfall patterns, turning once-predictable monsoons into sudden, violent cloudbursts that overwhelm fragile infrastructure and expose the failures of urban planning. Recent episodes in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are stark reminders of how nature’s fury collides with human negligence, leaving destruction in its path.
In August, Saidpur Village at the foot of the Margalla Hills was struck by a sudden cloudburst. Within minutes, narrow streets were transformed into torrents of water. Mud and debris rushed downhill, flooding homes and displacing dozens of families. Residents described the experience as terrifying, recalling that such abrupt and intense rainfall was rarely seen in earlier decades. Climate experts argue that rising temperatures are amplifying these events, filling clouds with more moisture that is then released in short and destructive bursts.
The devastation was not limited to old settlements like Saidpur. Even gated housing societies, often promoted as secure havens, have been exposed to the consequences of erratic weather. In one upscale society in Islamabad, a retired colonel and his young daughter tragically lost their lives when floodwaters swept their vehicle in a huge drain. The incident shook the city and proved that wealth and modern infrastructure cannot shield communities from the combined effects of climate shifts and poor planning.
Rawalpindi faces similar challenges. The infamous Nullah Leh, a storm drain that cuts through the city, routinely swells beyond its limits during monsoon rains. Despite millions spent annually on desilting and dredging, the problem persists. Experts cite familiar causes: unplanned urban expansion, encroachments on natural waterways, and above all the garbage that clogs drains. Every downpour carries plastic bags, bottles, and other waste into already choked nullahs, turning them into stagnant pools that soon overflow into streets and homes.
Environmentalists warn that unless waste management is improved, the risk of urban flooding will escalate. Ignoring garbage disposal in flood preparedness is equivalent to inviting disaster. The problem is twofold. Climate change is making rainfall less predictable and more intense, while our urban systems are collapsing under the strain of mismanagement.
Residents feel caught between the unpredictability of nature and official apathy. In Rawalpindi’s low-lying areas, families dread every monsoon season, knowing that just a few hours of rain can wash away belongings, flood schools, and disrupt transport. In Islamabad, even posh societies now share the same fear as old villages: that a sudden cloudburst could erase their sense of safety within minutes.
Urban planners stress that the solution lies in both adaptation and accountability. They call for stronger early-warning systems, restoration of natural stormwater channels, and strict enforcement of anti-dumping laws. Without these measures, the cycle of destruction will only deepen.
For the twin cities, climate change is no longer a global abstraction. It is a lived reality that has already claimed lives, destroyed homes, and turned garbage-choked drains into ticking time bombs. Unless action matches the urgency of the threat, each monsoon will bring another round of devastation.