Islamabad: Four in 10 Pakistanis (41%) believe cloudbursts are becoming more frequent, with anxieties highest in rural areas (43%) compared to urban centers (37%), according to a recent Gallup and Gilani Pakistan survey.

The survey, conducted between August 20 and 21, 2025, questioned a nationally representative sample of 323 adults about their perceptions of cloudburst frequency. Forty-one percent of respondents expressed the belief that such occurrences are increasing.

Twenty percent viewed cloudbursts as occasional events, while 11% stated that similar events have happened in the past. Another 20% classified the current spate of cloudbursts as unusual. The remaining 8% were unsure or declined to answer.

The findings indicate widespread apprehension regarding severe weather phenomena, particularly cloudbursts, with rural populations exhibiting greater concern. This disparity highlights the need for enhanced climate change adaptation strategies and disaster preparedness measures, especially in regions beyond major metropolitan areas.

The survey, carried out via telephone interviews (CATI), has a margin of error of approximately ± 2-3% at a 95% confidence level. The research was conducted by Gallup and Gilani Pakistan, an affiliate of Gallup International, and published on gallup.com.pk.