FLOOD DISASTERS GOVERNANCE IN PAKISTAN AND THEIR SOCIO- ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS: EVIDENCE FROM 2022 AND 2025 FLOODS.

Abstract

This study has examined the socio-economic impacts of Pakistan’s 2022 and 2025 floods were the country’s destructive climate-induced disasters and has aimed to identify gaps and limitation in policy implementation. The study used the qualitative research approach and case study design to explore the socio-economic, health, and educational impacts of the 2022 and 2025 flood events. It is guided by the Pressure Release Model (PAR) and the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF). Secondary data collected from various sources such as Government reports, UN agencies, humanitarian assessments, and peer-reviewed studies were analyzed to capture the climate hazards that have led to the intersection of the pre-existing vulnerabilities. The results indicate that the intensified monsoon variability, that accelerated glacial melt, and the environmental degradation were the main causes of the severe flooding. On the other hand, high exposure, weak infrastructure, and unplanned settlements increased the losses. The floods caused a loss of livelihoods on a large scale, agricultural destruction, housing collapse, disease outbreaks, educational disruption, and long-term displacement. The institutional review revealed recurring issues of late early-warnings, uncoordinated activities between NDMA, PDMA and district administrations, and lack of recovery planning, though modest improvements were observed in 2025.

This research demonstrates that the flood disasters in Pakistan are not just due to climate change, but governance problems and socio-economic inequities also contribute to the situation. By improving early warning systems, climate adaptive infrastructure, and local preparedness as well as integrated disaster governance can help to increase the resilience. The research is a worthy contribution to the knowledge based on evidence that can improve disaster risk management and climate adaption in Pakistan.