People of Pakistan are recently witnessing a series of cloudburst events—intense, localized rainstorms that caused severe destruction, especially in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, and parts of Gilgit-Baltistan. These violent weather episodes have become more frequent in recent years, with devastating consequences for urban centers and mountainous regions alike.

As Pakistan continues to grapple with the challenges of a changing climate, cloudbursts have emerged as one of the most destructive and least predictable phenomena, testing the limits of our infrastructure, governance, and preparedness.

A cloudburst, according to meteorologists, is a sudden and extreme downpour of rain, typically more than 100 mm in under one hour, concentrated over a very small area. Unlike prolonged monsoon rain, cloudbursts are brief but highly destructive. They are often accompanied by flash flooding, landslides, and infrastructure collapse.

While more common in mountainous regions like northern Pakistan and India’s Himalayan belt, cloudbursts are now being reported in urban plains like Islamabad and Chakwal, indicating a significant shift in weather behavior linked to global warming.

July 2025: A Series of Cloudburst Disasters

Islamabad & Rawalpindi: Urban Vulnerability Exposed

Horrific Increase of Cloudbursts in Pakistan

In early July, parts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi experienced intense rainfall episodes that overwhelmed drainage systems, flooded roads, collapsed walls, and swamped low-lying neighborhoods. On July 15, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) recorded 145 mm of rain in just over three hours in the Saidpur area of Islamabad.

Although PMD clarified that the hourly rate did not strictly meet cloudburst criteria, the rain intensity, short duration, and widespread flooding mirrored the impact typically associated with cloudbursts.

Residents of G-6, F-7, G-10, and areas surrounding Nullah Leh witnessed flash flooding that caused property damage and paralyzed urban movement. At least six people were injured in wall collapses, and several roads became impassable.

Chakwal: A True Cloudburst

A more definitive incident occurred in Chakwal District around July 17, dumping nearly 449 mm of rain in just a few hours. The downpour led to catastrophic flash floods in Choa Saidan Shah, damaging the famous Katas Raj Temple, sweeping away homes, destroying livestock, and blocking all major roads connecting rural towns.

Several dams and water storage systems breached under pressure, forcing emergency evacuations. Villages were inundated within minutes, giving residents no time to respond. This incident qualifies as one of the most severe non-glacial cloudbursts ever recorded in central Punjab.

Gilgit-Baltistan: Mountain Slopes Unleashed

In the mountainous Ghizer District of Gilgit-Baltistan, a cloudburst around July 13 brought flash floods that damaged at least 13 houses, destroyed farmland, and washed away irrigation channels. Although no fatalities were reported, the Gilgit–Ghizer Highway was blocked, isolating communities. According to media reports, heavy rains and a powerful cloudburst have resulted in widespread massive destruction in Babusar Top and surrounding areas of Diamer district, Gilgit-Baltistan, triggering intense flooding and landslides in different parts of the region.

The GB Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) noted the rare scale of destruction from such a localized weather event, confirming that cloudbursts are expanding into previously unaffected valleys.

What Makes So Dangerous?

Unlike seasonal monsoon rain that builds over days, cloudbursts strike with little warning. Their impact is magnified when they occur over densely populated or poorly drained areas. Key risks include:

Flash Floods: Water accumulation in minutes, overwhelming nullahs, streets, and stormwater drains.
Infrastructure Failure: Dams, bridges, and roads collapse under extreme water pressure.
Human Casualties: Sudden flooding leads to drownings, injuries from building collapses, and electrocutions.
Communication Disruption: Power outages, road closures, and communication breakdowns hamper rescue efforts.

In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, encroachments along Nullah Leh and urban sprawl in flood-prone areas make the cities especially vulnerable.

Government Response

In the wake of July’s incidents, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed federal and provincial disaster authorities to mobilize emergency resources. NDMA, PDMA, and Rescue 1122 teams were deployed in Chakwal, Islamabad, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Key response measures included:

Evacuation and Relief: Boats and helicopters were used in flooded zones.
Urban Drainage Clearing: Heavy machinery cleared blocked nullahs and sewer lines.
Monitoring and Alerts: PMD issued heavy rainfall warnings and urged citizens to avoid travel during alerts.
Infrastructure Review: The Prime Minister ordered a reassessment of dam safety and flood channel capacities in vulnerable regions.

Despite these efforts, experts argue that response remains reactive, and more needs to be done to build resilience before disaster strikes.

Reasons behind Recent Incidents

While cloudbursts are natural phenomena, their frequency and intensity are increasing—a trend linked closely to climate change.

Several climate-related factors are contributing:

Warmer Atmosphere: With every 1°C increase in temperature, the atmosphere holds about 7% more moisture, making short bursts of intense rainfall more likely.
Erratic Monsoon Behavior: Monsoons are arriving in shorter, more violent cycles, delivering massive rainfall in hours instead of days.
Urban Heat Islands: In cities like Islamabad and Rawalpindi, dense construction and concrete surfaces trap heat and moisture, intensifying local weather systems.
Deforestation and Land Use Change: Mountainous regions stripped of tree cover are more prone to landslides and floods after heavy rain.

Lessons from the Past: The 2001 Islamabad Cloudburst

The recent events have reignited memories of the 2001 cloudburst in Islamabad, one of the most devastating in Pakistan’s history. On 23 July 2001, over 620 mm of rain fell in 10 hours, killing 61 people, mostly in Rawalpindi’s Nullah Leh area.

Despite numerous studies and recommendations since then, urban planning and drainage improvements have remained inconsistent. As the July 2025 incidents demonstrate, lessons from history have not been fully implemented.

Way Forward: Building Resilience

Pakistan must treat these events not as one-off disasters but as the new normal in a warming world. Some crucial steps include:

Early Warning Systems: Invest in real-time satellite and radar systems that can detect atmospheric instability leading to cloudbursts.
Urban Planning Reform: Strict regulation of construction in floodplains and clearance of illegal encroachments on natural waterways.
Climate Education: Public awareness campaigns to teach citizens about flood-safe behaviors and evacuation protocols.
Infrastructure Investment: Upgrade drainage networks, construct retention ponds, and reinforce flood barriers in at-risk areas.
Climate Adaptation Policy: Integrate cloudburst risks into Pakistan’s National Climate Change Policy and provincial disaster plans.

The July 2025 cloudburst incidents in Islamabad, Chakwal, and Gilgit-Baltistan mark a critical juncture in Pakistan’s climate journey. These high-intensity weather events are becoming more frequent, and the consequences more severe.

While rescue teams and government departments responded with urgency, the underlying causes—urban mismanagement, poor infrastructure, and a warming atmosphere—demand long-term solutions.

Cloudbursts are not just meteorological anomalies; they are climate warnings. Unless Pakistan acts now with foresight, investment, and planning, these sudden storms will continue to catch us off guard, with tragic consequences.