Unnatural tragedy

I am writing to express my genuine concern about the rising non-traditional threats that continue to go unnoticed by the people and authorities in Pakistan. A recent tragedy in Swat, where an entire family was swept away due to a sudden surge in the river, is being dismissed by many as a ‘natural’ incident. However, this tragedy is not merely natural. It is a direct consequence of climate change. The rise in temperatures is accelerating glacial melt in the northern areas, leading to unpredictable and deadly floods.

What is even more alarming is the silence of our institutions and policymakers on this issue. The lack of awareness and response to such climate-related disasters reflects a dangerous ignorance of the broader environmental crisis we are facing. It is time we stop treating such events as isolated accidents and recognise them as symptoms of a much larger, human-driven problem. We must act now. Awareness campaigns, climate education, sustainable development policies, resilient infrastructure and strict environmental protection laws are the need of the hour.

Maria Omar

Islamabad