Pakistan has faced heavy rainfall and flooding during the monsoon season for four consecutive years (2010 to 2013). The monsoon season in Pakistan (usually beginning from July) has always turned deadly due to the poor sewage system and infrastructure lining the country; leaving most people without shelter and at the mercy of mother nature.

July 2010

The worst rainfall in Pakistan took place in 2010, starting from the month of July; where approximately one-fifth of Pakistan came under water. According to official reports, the resulting floods directly affected more than 12 million people – with a death toll of over 2,000. In July alone, 1,600 people were killed due to the heavy rains and flooding, which caused 1.4m acres of crop land to become unusable.

August 2010

A total of 1.6 million homes were destroyed, leaving over 14 million people acutely vulnerable to the elements. In 2010, more than 1700 people were killed from heavy rainfall and flooding; which caused $9.7 billion in damages to homes, infrastructure and other parts of Pakistan. By September 2010, the figure of those affected had reached an alarming 18 million people.

August 2011

Extreme rainfall began in the monsoon season in mid-August, killing 434 people and leaving another 5.3 million civilians affected. According to a report from Unicef, 2.7 million children were also among them. By September, the death toll had risen to a staggering 5.5 million people.

July 2012

Given Pakistan’s grievous history regarding floods and rains during the monsoon season, it came as no surprise when no less than 262 people were killed in the month of July; with 815 terribly injured.

August 2012

The intense rainfall led to a further increase in losses, of both life and livelihood, when 200 people were killed in another bout of rain following the first one. By the end of the month, 422 people had fallen prey to the fatal floods, leaving another 3000 seriously injured from the heavy rains. By October, 5 million people had been affected; with almost 270,000 people housed in relief shelters.

August 2013

The recent bout of rain related flooding (which has taken the provinces of Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan by storm) can easily be categorised as one of the worst, since it is still so early in the monsoon season and more dreary forecasts have already been made. So far, the death-toll has risen to 45 over the weekend in rain related accidents across Pakistan, with 60 homes permanently damaged. However, more than 60 people have died since the month of August began. To add to that misery, more than 300 homes have been swept away in Dera Ismail Khan, with more than 20,000 people rendered homeless in Balochistan alone.

—Compiled by Zohra Ahmed