Pakistan Floods 2025: What you need to know

Updated September 2025

Why is it flooding in Pakistan 2025?

The catastrophic floods in Pakistan are mainly due to heavy monsoon rains. At the same time, climate change and global warming have caused glaciers in the mountains to melt faster than usual. Therefore, extra water flows into rivers, causing them and nearby lakes to overflow, which leads to flooding.

What are flash floods?

Flash floods are intense floods that happen suddenly; usually within minutes or hours after heavy rain/water has been released (like a dam break or melted glacier). Flash floods usually occur in mountainous or hilly areas where water rushes down steep slopes, overwhelming rivers and drainage systems.

Key Facts & Figures:

Pakistan Floods 2025 infographic showing the impact of intense monsoon rains, deaths, displacement, and damage in Punjab — Source: GRF UK – Pakistan Floods 2025 Statistics

- This year's monsoon rains were 50-60% more intense than 2024¹
- 900+ people have been killed²
- 4+ million people have been affected²
- 2+ million people have been displaced in Punjab alone³
- Nearly 481,000 people & 405,000 livestock stranded by monsoon floods in Punjab have been evacuated⁴
- Over 4,100 villages have been affected by flood waters⁵
- Over 400 schools & around 40 health facilities have been damaged⁶
- Punjab is experiencing its 'worst flooding on record,' according to authorities, with the Sutlej, Chenab and Ravi rivers overflowing⁷

Which areas have been affected?

Infographic showing which areas of Pakistan have been affected by floods, including Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Sindh, and Gilgit-Baltistan — Source: GRF UK – Areas affected by Pakistan Floods 2025

- Punjab: The country's most populous province has been one of the worst impacted, with 2 million people affected due to the catastrophic floods.
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK): This rural community has also been one of the worst impacted, leaving over 400 dead due to the flash floods, collapsed houses and flood damage.
- Balochistan: Heavy rains have displaced thousands in the southwestern province. The region's mountainous terrain has worsened the situation, making it difficult to access affected communities.
- Sindh: Flood waters have destroyed farms and agricultural lands, causing crop destruction, thus affecting food security and livelihoods. Both rural and urban areas have been impacted due to significant flooding.
- Gilgit-Balistan: Melted glaciers and sudden cloudbursts have caused flash floods, leaving tourists stranded and mountain villages destroyed. Steep terrain and the remote location have complicated rescue efforts.

Why do many rivers in Pakistan flood in July?

July marks the start of monsoon season in Pakistan. This is when warm, moist winds from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rainfall to the country. At the same time, glaciers in the mountains melt faster due to higher summer temperatures. The combination of rainfall and melting ice adds large volumes of water to rivers. When rivers can't carry all the water, they overflow and flood nearby areas.

What happens to people after the floods?

After floods, people are forced to leave their homes, with many houses, farms and belongings destroyed. While some go to stay with families, many have no choice but to live in relief shelters which can be overcrowded. Damaged infrastructure and dirty water can cause waterborne diseases to spread quickly, and children and elderly people become especially vulnerable. Limited access to medical care puts already vulnerable families at serious risk.

Humanitarian charities and aid organisations also start helping, providing essential aid and relief. But it's not an easy fix. Climate-induced disasters like floods can take months to recover from, and sometimes even years for those who have lost everything.

Emergency Appeal: How We Can Help Right Now

You may be wondering how we can help from the United Kingdom, while we're thousands of miles away. Global Rahmah Foundation is ready to distribute emergency relief during the monsoon flooding. Our emergency response includes:

- Food parcels
- Drinking water
- Emergency shelters (tents)
- Hygiene kits
- Tarpaulin flooring
- Portable toilets

We're ready to begin our flood response in the wake of the climate crisis, but we need you. This is a humanitarian crisis. Our flood-relief initiatives are only possible with your support. Donate to the Pakistan flood relief fund today & support our emergency operations for families in need. Every donation helps us reach more people, faster.

Donate to Pakistan flood relief