Climate change is no longer a distant warning it is the reality we live in now, and Pakistan’s recent floods in Buner, Swat, and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are its harshest reminder. In mid-August, a shocking cloudburst dumped over 150 mm of rain in just an hour over Buner, triggering flash floods and landslides that claimed hundreds of lives and left villages torn apart .

Scientists say these “rain bombs” are becoming more common as a warming atmosphere holds more moisture. What used to be rare events are now happening more often, with greater intensity this year’s monsoon has brought 50 percent heavier rain than last year .

In Buner, the scale of destruction was unimaginable. Homes vanished, roads turned into rivers of mud, and entire communities were buried under debris. Survivors describe waking up to what felt like the end of the world . While rescuers and officials scramble to find the missing and clear the rubble, the disaster speaks of deeper warning: our systems are unprepared for this new climate reality.

So what must be done now?

We need better early warning systems in every corner of our mountains to give people time to move when rain turns into catastrophe. We must strengthen communications and forecasting at local levels, tailored to the terrain and vulnerabilities that define KP .

Our deforestation and poor river management are making each flood worse. Rebuilding must include restoring forests like those once grown under the Billion Tree Tsunami—and enforcing better land use so that the slopes and waterways can absorb water rather than sending it downhill as lethal torrents .

We also have to invest in resilient infrastructure: bridges, roads, and homes built to withstand flash floods and mudslides. And we need permanent disaster preparedness teams in communities, trained, equipped, and ready long before the next deluge.

Finally, we must keep climate change at the center of our response. A warming world is fueling these disasters and unless we adapt, we will keep paying a heavier price. As journalists, we will continue to tell these stories: of loss, resilience, and the urgent need to build a safer, greener future for all of us.