The Facts
On Friday, Pakistani officials reported that at least 50 people have been killed and 87 wounded since June 25 in monsoon-related flooding.
The majority of the deaths — due to electrocution and building collapses — occurred in the eastern Punjab province. In the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, eight children were killed in a landslide. Officials are still searching for other children trapped in the debris.
The Spin
Narrative A
Pakistan is responsible for less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions but is one of the most vulnerable countries to the extreme weather caused by global heating. More needs to be done to mitigate the harmful impacts of climate change before it is too late.
Narrative B
While climate change may be a factor in increased rainfall in Pakistan, it is not the only issue. Local authorities are also to blame for not preparing their communities through infrastructure projects and education. Disasters occur when hazards like monsoons meet vulnerability. Poorly planned urbanization and the high number of people living near riverbanks have just made a bad situation worse.