On 29th of February 2024, Emergency was imposed in the Gwadar region, a region called as to be the future major economic hub of Pakistan due to its port and other developmental projects happening with the Chinese investment under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). 30 hours of consistent rainfall with the amount of rain exceeding the annual rain fall of around 100 millimeters as 180 millimeters of rain was recorded in just two days. Pakistan has been under the radar of climate catastrophes especially after the 2022 floods. The weather patterns and climate conditions in Pakistan has changed drastically and have become unpredictable. Huge amount of economic loss and instability with rising health issues, migrations, and many other things leading towards social chaos were experienced in the aftermath of these floods. According to the March 4 report of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Balochistan, the recent rains in Balochistan has resulted in the complete destruction of 97 houses while 200 others were badly damaged. Gwadar alone accounts for over 85 destroyed and 175 damaged houses showing the extent to which Gwadar and its nearby areas are affected. Still, these records are termed to be as preliminary records as surveys are ongoing in Gwadar, Kech, and Kharan districts.
According to the report by PDMA Balochistan, around 950 people have been rescued by the Pakistan Agencies including the PDMA, GDA, Pakistan Army, Coast Guard, and the Levies. Along with that, till now they have been reportedly 05 deaths recorded while one injured. Along with that, the infrastructure has been badly hit as around 04 roads and 01 bridge has been damaged along with 28 boats and 35 boundary walls.
With such climate disasters being faced in one of the important district of the country not only to Pakistan locally but for the trade being done through the Gwadar Port especially by the Chinese government. To face the disaster and run rescue and relief programs, the Institutions of Pakistan have been working actively whether it be the PDMA, GDA, or the security forces, all have been working tirelessly to rescue people from this situation of chaos.
On 5th of March 2024, the newly elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif visited to climate hit region of Balochistan along with the newly elected Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sarfraz Bugti. He visited the relief camps and got briefing on the rescue and relief operations in the region. Further, to aid the disaster hit people, the PM announced rescue funds to be allocated. He announced that, Rs. 0.75 million rupees should be given to all the people whose house were destroyed completely whereas Rs. 0.3 million rupees for the partially damaged houses. He emphasized that within next four days, this aid will be distributed along with 7000 ration bags to be distributed from the day onwards. Along with that, he announced that Rs. 2 million rupees would be given as compensation to those who lost their loved ones and Rs. 0.5 million rupees for those injured.
These floods and disasters associated to it has given another reason to the Government of Pakistan to implement its climate policies effectively and try to minimize the damages caused by climate change. As these weather forecasts were made earlier, preemptive measure should have been taken. Also, this issue should be highlighted by Pakistan at the international stage of green politics and climate diplomacy as it is high time for states to come to a decisive plan of action that would have its practical application that should guarantee the minimizing of climate disasters worldwide.
