Water and Climate: Rising Risks for Urban Populations

 

Pakistan’s cities, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Karachi, face worsening climate threats, warns a new WaterAid report, conducted in collaboration with the University of Bristol and Cardiff University. The study finds climate-induced floods and water shortages are crippling urban water and sanitation systems.

Titled ‘Water and Climate: Rising Risks for Urban Populations’, the report highlights how 90% of climate disasters are water-related, with South Asian cities witnessing intensified monsoon patterns. Pakistan’s urban infrastructure is struggling to cope.

Worsening WASH Crisis

The report reveals 20% of global cities are shifting to extreme wet or dry conditions, with Pakistan’s urban hubs among them. Increased flooding is damaging sanitation facilities, spreading disease, and disrupting services. Experts warn a ‘Day Zero’ scenario is looming, where water supplies dangerously decline.

Urgent Action Needed
WaterAid urges policymakers to:

• Invest in climate-resilient WASH systems through public-private partnerships.
• Integrate WASH into climate adaptation plans for urban centres.
• Prioritise vulnerable communities, particularly women and girls.

Mian Muhammad Junaid, Country Director, WaterAid Pakistan, said:

“Pakistan’s cities already struggle with water and sanitation. Climate change is accelerating the crisis, leaving millions at risk. Urgent investments in climate-resilient water systems are critical to safeguard vulnerable communities, ensure health, and build a sustainable future for all.”

A Call to Action

Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad—Pakistan’s key urban centres—are especially vulnerable due to aging infrastructure and weak climate adaptation. WaterAid is working with national and provincial governments on rainwater harvesting, flood-resistant sanitation, and improved wastewater management.

As World Water Day approaches, the urgency for climate-resilient WASH solutions has never been greater. Addressing these issues now will not only protect millions but also secure Pakistan’s water future for generations to come.