Indoor Air Quality Alert: Pakistan Monsoon Flooding – IQAir

Report on Monsoon Flooding in Pakistan and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Incident Overview and Geographical Scope

Severe monsoon rainfall commencing on June 26, 2025, has precipitated extensive flooding and landslides across Pakistan, with the provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa being the most critically affected. This event underscores the urgent challenges presented by climate change, directly impacting the nation’s progress toward SDG 13 (Climate Action).

The flooding has severely tested the resilience of urban and rural infrastructure, a key concern of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Specific areas of impact include:

• Punjab Province: As the nation’s most populous province, Punjab has experienced significant urban flooding. The areas surrounding the Nullah Lai River, near the major metropolitan centers of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, are particularly distressed.
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province: This region, including the Swat Valley, has suffered from flash floods. The situation is compounded by glacial melt from Gilgit-Baltistan’s extensive glacier systems, which exacerbates river overflow and highlights the cascading effects of climate change.

Impact Assessment and SDG Implications

The floods have caused widespread destruction, severely impacting multiple facets of sustainable development.

• Infrastructure and Livelihoods: The destruction of homes, transportation networks, and agricultural lands in areas such as Chakwal, Lahore, and the Swat Valley represents a significant setback for SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). The disruption to power and mobility further cripples economic activity.
• Food and Water Security: The loss of crops threatens local and national food supplies, directly challenging SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Furthermore, floodwaters have compromised sanitation systems and contaminated water sources, creating a public health crisis and impeding progress on SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Containment Status and Institutional Response

As of July 23, 2025, flooding continues, with meteorological forecasts indicating sustained rainfall. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is leading the response, reflecting the critical role of effective governance under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Key Response Actions:

• The NDMA has mobilized rescue teams and pre-positioned relief supplies. However, containment efforts are hampered by damaged infrastructure and persistent rainfall.
• Emergency declarations have been issued in Punjab and parts of Balochistan to streamline aid delivery, though access to remote rural communities remains a significant challenge.
• Over 100,000 individuals have been evacuated from high-risk, low-lying areas near the Nullah Lai and Swat Rivers.
• The NDMA has issued continuous alerts for potential flash floods and landslides, advising residents to maintain a safe distance from rivers and streams. These actions are vital for safeguarding lives and align with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Public Health and Safety Recommendations Post-Flooding

In the aftermath of flooding, mitigating health risks, particularly from mold and waterborne diseases, is paramount for protecting community health as outlined in SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The following steps are recommended for residents returning to flood-affected properties:

1. Ensure Structural Safety: Before re-entering a building, verify that it is structurally sound and free from electrical hazards.
2. Utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear waterproof gloves, goggles, and a high-filtration mask (e.g., KN95/FFP2) to prevent exposure to mold spores and contaminants.
3. Expedite Water Removal: Remove all standing water immediately using pumps or wet-dry vacuums. This is a critical first step in mold prevention.
4. Promote Aggressive Drying: Facilitate air circulation by opening all windows and doors. Use fans and dehumidifiers to thoroughly dry the affected space, ideally within 24-48 hours, to inhibit mold growth.
5. Dispose of Contaminated Porous Materials: Discard items that cannot be effectively cleaned and dried, such as carpets, mattresses, and upholstered furniture.
6. Clean and Disinfect Surfaces: Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces with a suitable detergent. Disinfect nonporous surfaces with a bleach solution (1.5 cups of bleach per gallon of water). Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaning agents.
7. Control Indoor Humidity: Maintain indoor relative humidity levels between 35-50% using dehumidifiers to create an environment inhospitable to mold.
8. Consider Professional Remediation: For extensive water damage and mold contamination, engage professional remediation services to ensure a safe and thorough cleanup.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the flooding in Pakistan touches upon several Sustainable Development Goals due to the wide-ranging impacts of the natural disaster on human life, infrastructure, and the environment. The following SDGs are relevant:

• SDG 1: No Poverty: The destruction of homes and crops threatens the livelihoods and economic stability of affected populations, potentially pushing them into poverty.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The article explicitly mentions that “crops have been destroyed,” which directly impacts food security and availability, linking the disaster to the goal of ending hunger.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The floods pose immediate and long-term health risks. The article highlights the danger of mold growth after flooding and provides guidance on protective measures, such as wearing masks, which relates to ensuring healthy lives.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: Widespread flooding, “urban flooding,” and “waterlogging” contaminate water sources and disrupt sanitation systems, which is a core concern of this goal.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article’s focus on “urban flooding” in populous areas like Punjab, the destruction of “homes, roads,” and infrastructure, and the displacement of over 100,000 people directly relates to making cities and human settlements safe, resilient, and sustainable.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The disaster is attributed to “heavy monsoon rains” and “glacial melt,” both of which are climate-related hazards. The response efforts described are a form of climate adaptation, making this goal highly relevant.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 1.5: “By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters.”
   • Explanation: The article describes a massive climate-related disaster affecting populous regions. The evacuation of “over 100,000 people” from low-lying areas highlights the vulnerability of these populations to such events.
2. Target 11.5: “By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses…caused by disasters, including water-related disasters…”
   • Explanation: The entire article is about a water-related disaster. It details the impact on people (“over 100,000 people have been evacuated”) and economic losses through the destruction of “Homes, roads, and crops.”
3. Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.”
   • Explanation: The article links the floods to climate-related hazards like “heavy monsoon rains” and “glacial melt.” The response by the “National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)” and the issuance of “emergency declarations” are direct examples of a country’s efforts to build resilience and adaptive capacity.
4. Target 3.d: “Strengthen the capacity of all countries…for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.”
   • Explanation: The article discusses post-flood health risks from mold and provides public health advice. Furthermore, the “emergency alerts” issued by the NDMA serve as an early warning system to reduce risks to the population.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains specific data and descriptions that can serve as indicators for measuring progress:

• Indicator 11.5.1: “Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.”
  • Evidence: The article provides a direct measure of affected persons by stating, “Over 100,000 people have been evacuated.” This figure is a key metric for this indicator.
• Indicator 11.5.2: “Direct economic loss…including disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services.”
  • Evidence: The article implies this by reporting that “Homes, roads, and crops have been destroyed,” infrastructure was “swept away,” and services like “power and mobility” were disrupted. These are all components of direct economic and infrastructure loss.
• Indicator 13.1.2: “Number of countries that have adopted and implemented national disaster risk reduction strategies…”
  • Evidence: The article implies the existence and implementation of such a strategy through the actions of the “National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA),” which has “deployed rescuers and pre-positioned relief supplies,” and the issuance of “Emergency declarations” and “evacuation orders.” These actions are hallmarks of an implemented national strategy.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: iqair.com