For decades, Pakistanis have endured scorching summers. But in recent years, the season has become increasingly unforgiving, with blistering temperatures, shrinking water supplies and mounting pressure on daily life exposing the growing human cost of climate change.
Rising temperatures, drying taps: climate change disrupts everyday life in Pakistan
By Ayesha Sadiqa
ISLAMABAD, Jul 19 (APP): For decades, Pakistanis have endured scorching summers. But in recent years, the season has become increasingly unforgiving, with blistering temperatures, shrinking water supplies and mounting pressure on daily life exposing the growing human cost of climate change.
This year, the mercury crossed 40 degrees Celsius in several parts of the country, touching 43°C in Lahore and 41°C in Islamabad. Between April and May, an intense heatwave drove temperatures beyond 46°C in many cities, while at least 10 people lost their lives in Karachi due to heat-related causes.
Scientists say such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent as global temperatures rise, making heatwaves not only longer but also deadlier.
For millions of Pakistanis, climate change is no longer a distant environmental issue. It is a daily struggle affecting access to water, livelihoods, health and mental well-being.
Among those bearing the brunt is 34-year-old Soniya, who works in a hostel kitchen in Islamabad.
Standing for hours over a hot stove has become increasingly exhausting as temperatures continue to soar.
“It is difficult to work in the kitchen because of the heat because I have to stand there for long hours,” she said.
The worsening water shortage only compounded her difficulties.
“My family had to fetch water from public taps when our supply stopped. Eventually, we shifted to our village because there was no water in Islamabad,” she said.
Like many residents of the federal capital, Soniya’s family found themselves rationing every bucket of water.
Muhammad Talha, a student living in a hostel in Islamabad’s G-13 sector, said the shortage had become a constant source of anxiety.
“When there is no water for days during such heat, you feel helpless. You cannot cool yourself, you cannot even think properly. You remain worried all the time,” he said.
Pakistan is ranked among the countries most vulnerable to climate change despite contributing less than one percent to global greenhouse gas emissions.
According to environmental experts, the country has witnessed a sharp rise in heatwaves over the past three decades, placing additional pressure on already scarce water resources.
The effects are also being felt by young people.
Twenty-year-old Air University student Rinad described hostel life during the summer as increasingly unbearable.
“The rooms only have ceiling fans, which are simply not enough when temperatures cross 40 degrees,” she said.
“The building traps heat throughout the day, and even at night the rooms remain hot.”
She said better cooling systems, improved insulation and proper ventilation should become priorities for private hostel owners.
“Air conditioners, coolers or better-designed buildings would make a huge difference,” she added.
Experts warn that climate change is not only affecting physical health but also mental well-being.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has cautioned that prolonged heatwaves, water insecurity and repeated climate-related disasters are increasing stress, anxiety and uncertainty among children and young people.
Climate anxiety, experts say, is becoming increasingly common as people struggle to adapt to worsening environmental conditions.
Behind Islamabad’s recurring water shortages lies an expanding gap between demand and supply.
Director General Water Management at the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Sardar Khan Zimri, said the capital’s daily water requirement during peak summer had reached nearly 120 million gallons, while the city was receiving only about 80 million gallons.
He attributed the shortfall to rapid population growth, rising temperatures, excessive groundwater extraction and an ageing water distribution system.
To ease the crisis, CDA has restored non-functional tube wells, repaired leaking pipelines, increased water tanker operations and senior officers making field inspections to resolve complaints quickly.
Long-term plans include water supply project from Tarbela Dam, alongside planned dams at Shahdra and Dhota/Dhotara and greater use of smart monitoring technologies to reduce water losses.
Zimri urged citizens to conserve water by avoiding unnecessary use, repairing household leaks and reporting illegal water connections.
“Every drop of water is precious,” he said.
Senior journalist Shabbir Hussain said Pakistan must urgently adopt rainwater harvesting to recharge rapidly declining groundwater reserves.
He said government institutions, housing societies and citizens should jointly develop rainwater harvesting projects, particularly in water-stressed urban areas.
Scientists from the World Weather Attribution warn that with an additional 1.3°C of global warming, heatwaves similar to those experienced this year could become significantly more frequent.
Unless meaningful climate action is taken, today’s extreme weather may soon become Pakistan’s new normal.
For families like Soniya’s, the consequences of climate change are already visible in empty taps, disrupted routines and difficult choices.
For students like Rinad and Talha, it means sleepless nights, mounting anxiety and uncertainty about the future.
As temperatures continue to rise, climate change is no longer measured only in degrees Celsius. It is increasingly measured in interrupted lives, disappearing water, strained livelihoods and growing concern over what the next summer may bring.
