The recent rains and urban flooding in Pakistan have once again raised the question of how vulnerable our major cities are to natural disasters and environmental stresses. From Karachi to Lahore, Sialkot to Islamabad, the same scene was seen: low-lying areas were submerged, roads resembled rivers and canals, millions of people were stranded, and the economy suffered billions of rupees in losses.
The increasing pressure of the rains
Statistics from the Pakistan Meteorological Department show that despite a slight change in the monsoon pattern, the intensity and quantity of rainfall have increased compared to previous years. The cities of northern and central Punjab, Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad, and Sargodha, recorded unusual downpours this season. In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the nullah once again became a symbol of urban fear. The situation was no different in Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, where major highways such as Shahrah-e-Faisal were submerged under two to three feet of water, leaving vehicles stranded and causing severe traffic jams.
Drainage crisis
The main reason for urban flooding in almost all major cities of Pakistan is the failure of the drainage system. Major roads such as Canal Road and Jail Road in Lahore were submerged because natural flow paths along canals and rain drains were blocked by encroachments and unplanned construction. In Islamabad, pumping machinery was deployed to drain rainwater, but this system too failed in the face of continuous rainfall.
Compared to other cities, the situation in Karachi was the most serious. Natural channels such as the Malir River and the Lyari River have for years been blocked by encroachments, illegal constructions and piles of rubbish. Only a few of the gates built to allow water to pass through the Mehmoodabad drain were open, while the rest were closed, preventing the flow of water. This is why low-lying areas of the city were flooded within hours of the rain, paralysing urban life.
Karachi: Where is the root of the problem?
Karachi has two major natural routes for the drainage of rainwater: the Lyari River and the Malir River. But years of illegal settlements, misprioritisation of development projects, and weak infrastructure have crippled them. Water coming from the mountains to the north of the city is blocked by obstacles in areas such as the Northern Bypass and Saadi Town.
The most urgent need to deal with urban flooding is to restore natural stormwater channels, remove encroachments from streams and rivers, and reactivate their natural flow
The result is that residential areas are submerged, and locals use soil and rubbish to raise roads and houses with their own efforts. Moreover, major roads like Shahrah-e-Faisal turn into rivers after rainfall. During the downpour of 19 August 2025, citizens were forced to abandon their vehicles and walk home, while traffic jams blocked even emergency relief routes.
Punjab and other provinces are also affected – losses and economic pressure
In Punjab, the Sutlej, Ravi and other rivers overflowed their existing capacity. As a result, surrounding settlements were submerged, and millions of people were displaced. According to government statistics, 20 million people were affected in Punjab alone, while the total number of displaced people across the country exceeded 3.5 million. In many places, the government deliberately diverted floodwaters to rural areas to save urban infrastructure, provoking severe public anger.
According to initial estimates, the recent rains and floods have caused losses of more than Rs 500 billion. This includes the destruction of crops, homes and infrastructure. Agriculture has suffered the most, as most of the cultivation was of traditional crops that cannot withstand heavy rains or floods.
Weaknesses in evacuation and relief
The evacuation and relief system during urban disasters in Pakistan has always been weak. This time too, little changed: in many places announcements were made, but people were not actually taken to safe locations. Similarly, there was a shortage of volunteers and trained staff. Severe disorganisation was also evident in providing temporary shelters and basic facilities for the victims.
The way forward
In terms of urban planning, our current drainage systems are ineffective and cannot withstand the pressure of future rainfall. For this, some basic steps are indispensable. The most urgent need to deal with urban flooding is to restore natural stormwater channels, remove encroachments from streams and rivers, and reactivate their natural flow. At the same time, infrastructure must be redesigned so that effective culverts and drainage systems are built on roads and bridges according to international standards.
Community involvement is essential in this process; local citizens and youth should be given practical training in drainage and disaster management so they can play an active role in emergencies. Environmental impact on drainage must also be considered before approving new development projects, to prevent the recurrence of such problems. Finally, the evacuation and relief system must be improved on a scientific basis, with a clear, practical and well-trained strategy to ensure a timely and effective response in any emergency.
Pakistan’s cities are facing frequent rains and urban flooding, sending a single message: if natural drainage channels are not restored and planning is not aligned with climate realities, such disasters will only intensify in the future.