• Pakistan's Punjab province faces historic flooding affecting 2 million people.
• Climate change has intensified monsoon rains, leading to severe water levels.
• Evacuations are underway, with makeshift camps established for displaced residents.
• Cross-border flooding from India contributes to the crisis.
• Over 33 people have died and many are at risk of further disasters.

The Punjab province of Pakistan is currently grappling with its most significant flooding event in history, with reports indicating that over 2 million people are affected. Senior minister Maryam Aurangzeb described the floods as unprecedented, stating, “This is the biggest flood in the history of the Punjab.” The situation has been exacerbated by record high water levels in the rivers Sutlej, Chenab, and Ravi, which have not been seen before, according to Indiatimes, LA Times, and Al Jazeera.

Climate change is reported to have intensified this year's monsoon rains, making them more erratic and deadly in Pakistan, which is already one of the most vulnerable countries to climate impacts. These conditions have led to not only flooding in Punjab but also flash floods and landslides in other mountainous regions of the country. Additionally, flooding has been worsened due to cross-border water releases from India, which have flooded low-lying areas in Pakistan's Punjab province, according to multiple reports from Indiatimes and LA Times.

Local authorities have been actively evacuating residents and setting up makeshift camps in educational institutions and police facilities to accommodate the displaced. Reports indicate scenes of distress as individuals struggle to salvage their remaining belongings, with many making their way to safety on rescue boats across submerged farmlands. The media has shown individuals doing their best to escape the rising waters, as local governments respond to the unfolding humanitarian crisis, according to LA Times and Al Jazeera.

The personal toll is significant, with reported fatalities, including at least 33 deaths due to flood-related incidents across Punjab. The national disaster management authority also highlighted a broader context where, since late June, flood-related events across Pakistan have resulted in 849 fatalities and more than 1,130 injuries, reflecting the dire implications of this climate-induced disaster, according to Indiatimes, LA Times, and Al Jazeera.