Monsoon floods test Pakistan's climate resilience

Floodwaters have once again swept through villages in Pakistan that were already devastated by catastrophic flooding in 2022, reigniting urgent concerns about the country's climate resilience and the effectiveness of the government's response to recurring disasters.

Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority said Friday that at least 193 people were killed and 544 others injured across the country between June 26 and July 18 as heavy monsoon rains triggered widespread flooding and rain-related accidents. The eastern province of Punjab was the hardest hit, with 114 deaths and 437 injuries reported.

Parts of Punjab and Sindh provinces remain submerged, with the same villages and the same people once again at the mercy of swollen rivers and seasonal streams.

This year's monsoon rains triggered flash floods that left families stranded for hours. Even as the waters receded, they left behind widespread destruction.

In Chakwal, a city in northwestern Punjab, 80-year-old Muhammad Nazir and his family are still living among the remains of their home, which was wrecked in the 2022 floods and has now been struck again.

"A lot has happened in the area. What happened to us is that many houses collapsed because of the floods. The roofs came crashing down. Now the water has moved away from the house," said Nazir.

Pakistan's 2022 floods displaced more than 33 million people. Billions of dollars in aid were pledged, but recovery has been slow, and many communities were never truly rebuilt.

Climate experts warn that heavier, more erratic monsoon rains are Pakistan's new normal, and that poor planning and weak infrastructure keep pushing vulnerable families into the flood's path.

"All these houses have collapsed. Water has entered the houses. There is no drinking water. There is no water for anyone. Children are suffering from itching because of rashes, and the place is swarming with mosquitoes," said Abdul Rahman, another resident in Chakwal.

Pakistan is among the world's most climate-vulnerable countries, yet the slow pace of recovery and repeated disasters raise hard questions about its resilience.

For families like Nazir's, rebuilding is no longer enough -- what they need now is protection from the next flood, before it comes.

Monsoon floods test Pakistan's climate resilience

China's commissioning of "five essentials for aircraft carriers" marks a a significant achievement of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s accelerated transformation and development, said Jiang Bin, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference in Beijing on Saturday.

The "five essentials" refer to stealth carrier-based fighters, multirole catapult-assisted carrier-based fighters, fixed-wing carrier-based early warning aircraft, fixed-wing electronic warfare aircraft, and anti-submarine helicopters.

"The package, or what media have dubbed the 'five essentials for aircraft carriers,' is a vital link in forming the systematic combat capability of aircraft carrier formations and a significant achievement in the PLA Navy’s accelerated transformation and development. Building a strong PLA Navy embodies the Chinese nation's long-cherished aspiration of striving to be a strong naval power and serves as an important guarantee for realizing national rejuvenation. In the new era, under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the Central Military Commission and President Xi, the modernization of the PLA Navy has become increasingly solid and powerful. From the air to the sea, from coastal waters to the open ocean, the types and functions of various weapons platforms have been continuously improved, achieving leapfrog development and innovative breakthroughs, providing stronger guarantees for safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests," he said.

Spokesman confirms commissioning of 'five essentials' for carriers