Advisor Climate Affairs, Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry has termed climate change as the major reason of unprecedented torrential monsoon rains in Sindh which caused severe flooding in the province. In a statement issued here, Dr Qamar who is also a lead author of Pakistan Climate Change Policy said "If we look at the frequency and the trend of the extreme weather events impacting Pakistan then it is easy to find its linkage with climate change."
The pattern of recent extreme weather events in Pakistan show clear indication of increased frequency and intensity of such events in the country which is inline with the international climate change projections, he added. Dr Qamar said the country is heading for increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, which includes frequent floods and droughts, therefore, "We need to adapt and plan for that," adding he said, the formulation of Draft National Climate Change Policy is the first step in this direction.
He said the rains in Sindh are the highest ever recorded monsoon rains during the one month period. Before the start of these rains in the second week of August, Sindh was under severe drought conditions and it had not received any rainfall for the last 12 months.
The last severe rainfall flooding in Sindh occurred in July 2003 but this time the devastating rains have created unprecedented flood situation in Sindh. According to Dr Qamar, the total volume of water fallen over Sindh during the four weeks is estimated to be above 37 million acre feet, "which is unimaginable."
Dr Qamar said that it was forecast that climate change would be causing considerable increase in frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, coupled with erratic monsoon rains causing frequent floods and droughts. He said increased temperature would result in enhanced heat and water stress conditions, particularly in the arid and semi-arid regions.