EDITORIAL
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April - June 2026
J Gandhara Med Dent Sci
How to cite this editorial
Zahid M. Climate Change and Health Consequences in Pakistan: Implications
of Rising Summer Temperatures and Glacial Flood Risks. J Gandhara Med Dent
Sci.2026;13(2):1-2.https://doi.org/10.37762/jgmds.885
:
Maham Zahid
PhD Scholar,
Khyber Medical University, Peshawar
+92-345-
zahidmaham487@gmail.com
:
RISING SUMMER TEMPERATURES AND GLACIAL FLOOD RISKS
CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH CONSEQUENCES IN PAKISTAN: IMPLICATIONS OF
Climate change is increasingly recognized as one of the most signicant global threats to human health in the
21st century. While its impacts are global, low- and middle-income countries bear even more adverse eects.
Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate and has witnessed rising temperatures, erratic
monsoon patterns, glacial melting in the northern regions, and recurrent ooding phenomena in recent years.
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These environmental changes pose profound public health challenges, including heat-related illnesses, infectious
disease outbreaks, food insecurity, and displacement-related health crises. Pakistan‘s summers are becoming
increasingly extreme due to climate change. Projections suggest that the country may experience temperature
increases exceeding the global average, potentially exceeding 5°C under high-emission scenarios.
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This warming
trend is already evident through recurrent heatwaves aecting major urban centers such as Karachi, Lahore, and
Islamabad. Heatwaves pose serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations, including outdoor
laborers, the elderly, children, and individuals with chronic diseases. Heat stress can lead to dehydration, heat
exhaustion, heatstroke, cardiovascular complications, and increased mortality. In countries like Pakistan, where
access to electricity, cooling infrastructure, and healthcare may be limited, these risks are amplied.
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Beyond
direct heat exposure, rising temperatures worsen air pollution and ground-level ozone formation, further
exacerbating respiratory illnesses such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Climate change is
also associated with increased cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity, as well as mental health eects due to
environmental stress and disaster exposure.
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The public health implications of hotter summers are therefore
multifaceted, aecting not only acute health outcomes but also healthcare systems that may struggle to manage
surges in heat-related emergencies.
Pakistan is home to one of the largest concentrations of glaciers outside the polar regions, located within the
Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Himalayan Mountain ranges. Rising temperatures accelerate glacial melt,
increasing the formation of unstable glacial lakes that may suddenly burst, causing catastrophic ash oods.
Recent extreme heat in northern Pakistan has accelerated glacier melting and triggered destructive oods and
landslides, resulting in loss of life, infrastructure damage, and displacement of communities.
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These glacial lake
outburst oods (GLOFs) are becoming more frequent due to climate warming. Combined with intense monsoon
rainfall, they signicantly increase the risk of ash ooding in downstream regions. Studies suggest that climate
change has increased rainfall intensity in Pakistan by approximately 50-75%, further amplifying ood risk.
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Flood disasters have become a recurring phenomenon in Pakistan. The catastrophic oods of 2022 alone aected
approximately 33 million people and caused widespread damage to homes, healthcare facilities, and agricultural
land. Such events illustrate the growing intersection between climate change and public health emergencies.
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Flooding produces a cascade of health consequences extending far beyond immediate injuries and fatalities.
Stagnant water and disrupted sanitation systems promote the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera,
diarrhea, and typhoid. Flood conditions also facilitate the proliferation of vector-borne diseases, including
malaria and dengue fever, which are already endemic in Pakistan.
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In Pakistan, climate change poses a multifaceted threat to public health through extreme heat, glacial melt, and
flooding. Accelerated glacial melt in the north and intensied monsoon rains increase ood risks, straining
healthcare systems and destabilizing socioeconomic structures. Addressing these health risks demands urgent
adaptation strategies: early warning systems, resilient healthcare infrastructure, enhanced disease surveillance,
and community awareness programs. Climate-informed urban planning, water management, and environmental
conservation are also critical. Rising temperatures escalate heat-related illnesses and deaths, while glacial melt
and intense rainfall exacerbate infectious diseases, food insecurity, displacement, and mental health challenges.
Integrating climate resilience into national health planning is essential as Pakistan faces increasingly hotter
summers. Strengthening healthcare systems, improving disaster preparedness, and investing in climate adaptation
are vital for safeguarding population health, making climate action a public health imperative for Pakistan and
other vulnerable nations.
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April - June 2026
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Climate Change and Health Consequences in Pakistan
