Pakistan is facing one of its most devastating monsoon seasons in decades, with torrential rains and riverine flooding affecting millions across the country. The United Nations has issued an urgent appeal for international support as humanitarian needs outpace response capacity.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 2 million people have been impacted nationwide, with more than 880 lives lost and thousands injured since the onset of the rains in late June. Punjab province has been hit hardest, where floodwaters from the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers have inundated over 2,000 villages, displacing hundreds of thousands.

The crisis has been compounded by glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in Gilgit-Baltistan and flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which have destroyed homes, schools, and critical infrastructure. Urban centers in Sindh, including Karachi and Hyderabad, are also grappling with submerged roads, damaged crops, and rising health risks.

UN agencies and humanitarian partners have mobilized relief efforts, deploying over 700 shelters, 378 medical camps, and 330 veterinary units across affected regions. However, access remains limited in remote areas, and urgent needs persist for clean water, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, and emergency medical supplies.

“This is not just a climate emergency—it’s a humanitarian catastrophe,” said a UN spokesperson. “Pakistan’s resilience is remarkable, but global solidarity is essential.”

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warns that sustained high river flows could trigger further flooding downstream, especially in southern Punjab and Sindh. With more rainfall forecasted, the situation remains volatile.