Climate experts have warned that widespread deforestation is a major factor behind the rising frequency of cloudbursts in Pakistan. They cautioned that unchecked tree-cutting, coupled with climate change, is intensifying destructive floods and landslides across the country.

Meteorologists explain that extremely heavy rainfall concentrated over a short time and area is termed a cloudburst. ‘Rising temperatures are the clearest sign of changing weather patterns,’ they noted, adding that deforestation is worsening the impact by allowing rocks and debris to flow downstream during floods.

Climate scientists stress the need to coexist with nature. ‘We must avoid constructing homes near rivers, reduce deforestation, and keep water channels clear so that floods do not carry massive boulders into populated areas,’ said Dr. Fahad Saeed, senior climate scientist.

Experts emphasized that halting tree-cutting and preventing construction along waterways are critical steps to reduce future losses. They blamed successive governments for decades of negligence, pointing out that mangrove forests in Sindh were cut down and millions of acres of forest land were allotted for housing schemes. They warned that Pakistan’s poor planning has accelerated climate risks, exposing governance failures.