Surviving the floods in Pakistan

Many parts of Pakistan have been experiencing intense rainfall in recent weeks. Since June, at least 800 people have been killed, homes and businesses lost, and thousands forced to evacuate their communities.

In our conversations, we bring together people affected by this year’s monsoon to share their experiences. They include Saad, from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northern Pakistan, who lost his family home and business:

“Nothing is left in our home,” he tells us. “Many of the houses of the people are completely destroyed and those remaining are full of mud and water…it has been 13 to 14 days and we are still suffering.”

Although it only produces a small fraction of greenhouse gas emissions, scientific evidence suggests that Pakistan is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. It not only faces increasingly heavy rains but extreme temperatures and drought, with melting glaciers also contributing to the risk of floods. Three journalists share their stories of the flooding and their perspectives on the challenges the country faces.

Presenter: Luke Jones

BBC producer: Iqra Farooq

Boffin Media producer: Richard Hollingham

An EcoAudio certified Boffin Media production in partnership with the OS team.

(Photo shows Saad who lives in the Swat Valley. Credit: Saad)