ISLAMABAD - Approximately one third of Pakistan is currently lying underwater after the South Asian country was hit by flooding the likes of which has not been seen for 30 years, according to prime minister Shehbaz Sharif.

“There is an ocean of floodwater everywhere,” Mr Sharif told the AFP news agency during a visit to the devastated northern town of Charsadda. “I saw floodwater everywhere, wherever I went in recent days and even today.”

Cargo planes delivering humanitarian aid from the likes of Turkey and the UAE have begun to arrive, the premier assured his citizens, with more to follow as the UN appeals for further assistance from the international community. But why is Pakistan flooding – and is climate change responsible?