Monsoon rains and flood continues to create havoc in different parts of the flood affected areas leaving thousands of families affected, number of houses destroyed, thousands of acres of ready to harvest crops and fruits orchards have been damaged, link roads and bridges destroyed. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Director General Dr Ghulam Rasul has issued high alert in the wake of expected widespread heavy rain and flood, over the next five days.
The PMD spokesperson added that the heavy monsoon was concentrating in Sindh where up to 500,000 cusecs of water was already flowing down the Indus at Guddu and Sukkur and the upcoming heavy downpour could aggravate the situation. According to the PMD the entire country is currently under an active monsoon system which might generate heavy widespread rains in coming days. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) also alerted that a sharp peak of High Flood is expected in River Jhelum at Mangla (upstream).
Following is a brief overview of impact of recent flash floods on different provinces of Pakistan so far:
Sindh: Around 150 villages have been flooded in district Ghotki, Kashmore and Sukkur which affected around 1000,000 people. The continuous driving rains incited rivers to wreak havoc and forced the citizens to shift to safer locations along with their livestock. Along with the three already affected districts, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority of Sindh has forecasted that districts Khairpur, Larkana and Shikarpur are also at high risk of flooding in the coming two to three days which can affect thousands of families in these vulnerable districts. Anticipating displacement from these districts the district governments have established relief camps, health camps and livestock facilities at various embankments.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Around 300,000 people in upper and lower Chitral are affected by flash floods. Twenty-six villages are affected in the district, where 145 houses were destroyed and 32 partially damaged. The roads linking Chitral with Drosh, Orghoch, Garam Chashma, Bamboret, Mastuj and Boni are destroyed. Dozens of other link roads, major bridges and the suspension bridges connecting valleys and villages have been swept away in the gushing waters. A hotel, a private college and around 25 water supply schemes have also been swept away. Search and rescue operations are currently underway by Pakistan Army. Relief camps have been established in the affected areas while Government has announced PKR 500,000 for each of the completely affected households. Furthermore PRCS has distributed tents, kitchen sets, hygiene kits, Mosquito nets and blankets to 29 flood affected families. KP government has transported 20 tons of food packs to district Chitral.
Gilgit-Baltistan: Flash floods have cut off at least three valleys in Diamer and Baltistan. The valleys in Diamer – including Niat, Buner and Fairy Meadows – have been experiencing food shortages because of lack of connection with the outside world. Ghanche and Skardu are the worst affected districts of GB. Fast melting glaciers in the northern areas of the country during monsoon season and the resultant flash floods is a wake-up call for the K-P and G-B governments to start planning to tackle the situation.
Punjab: At least 244 villages of Mianwali, Layyah, DG Khan, Rajanpur, Rahimyarkhan and Muzaffargarh districts are inundated by the flood water of Sindh River. According to NDMA, 11 villages in Mianwali, 81 in Layyah, 40 in DG Khan, 14 in Muzaffargarh, 82 in Rajanpur and 16 villages in Rahimyar khan are affected by the flood. Crop fields spread on thousands of acres have been destroyed, while more than 100 families have moved to safer areas on their own due to insufficient arrangements made by the district and tehsil governments. A large number of people are stranded in the flooded localities. The urban localities which are on the bank of Lai Nallah in district Rawalpindi have also been flooded while due to the rain related incidents in the district, a girl has died during the last 24 hours. Government has established 120 relief camps in six districts of the province. Each camp will accommodate 500 people. 6,000 tents and 10,000 food packs are distributed so far.
Baluchistan: Heavy rainfall, windstorm and the flood situation in District Zhob has damaged flood protection bunds, electric poles, roads, uprooting trees, etc. Also caused breaches at various locations to the protection bunds claiming four lives so far. In central province, at least twenty-one people drowned in the flood water where only seven dead bodies recovered while search and rescue operation is underway for the recovery of the rest of the drowned people.
Response by Community World Service Asia:
Sindh being the tail-ender has always been the most affected province and is likely to be among the most affected by recent rains and flooding in the coming couple of days. Community World Service Asia has operational offices and teams in Sindh. Its senior management team, including Regional Representative and Associate Director for Emergencies is on the ground monitoring the situation and will be leading the emergency response. The field team is coordinating with key stake holders to plan to address emergency needs of the population by providing food, NFIs and emergency medical assistance in affected districts.
Contacts:
Allan A. Calma
Deputy Director
Disaster Management Program
Email: allan.calma@communityworldservice.asia
Cell: +92 301 5801621
Muhammad Fazal
Associate Director
Emergencies/DRR/Climate Change
Email: fazil.sardar@communitryworldservice.asia
Cell: +92 332 5586134
Palwashay Arbab
Senior Communications Officer
Email: palwashay.arbab@communityworldservice.asia
Cell: +92 42 3586 5338
Sources:
www.tribune.com.pk
www.e.dunya.com.pk
National Humanitarian Network
www.ndma.gov.pk
weather.par.com.pk
Photo Courtesy: Focus
Heavy monsoon rains triggered flash floods in different parts of the north-west district of Chitral in KPK, Pakistan. Two people including a woman and a girl have been reported missing since the floods. Thirty shops and dozens of bridges have been washed away by the gushing waters of a flood stream in various parts of the district. The rain started pouring early in the morning and lashed the district for a continuous half-an-hour, causing a powerful flash flood. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), around 100 villages have been affected, including those in Bumboret, Ayun, Birir, Shali, Shughur, Khairabad, Milp and Dorosh.
The meteorological department said the rain hit mountainous areas which caused the floods in low-lying parts of the district. The floods washed away roads within the district, including Peshawar-Chitral Road near Broz Gol area. There is no land route connecting Chitral city to the rest of Malakand Agency. Embankments at vulnerable points are required to protect communities from overflow of river and its tributaries in the affected areas.
A sizeable portion of population has been cut off which necessitates immediate restoration of roads and bridges. The floods have also affected the WAPDA house in the area which has resulted in the disconnection of the power supply from Inji Grid Station and Ayun Hydel Power Station, plummeting most parts of the district into darkness.
Meanwhile, officials warned that water levels in the River Indus were on the rise. According to sources Abdul Aziz Soomro, the in-charge of the control room at Sukkur Barrage, said that a medium-level flood was passing through Guddu Barrage while a low-level flood was passing through Sukkur Barrage. He said that water levels are expected to rise further in the next 24 hours at Guddu and Sukkur barrages.
Community World Service Asia is continuously monitoring the situation and its emergency response teams are ready to start emergency response activities if required. To view the contingency plan for emergency response, click here to download Monsoon Contingency Plan.
Contacts:
Allan A. Calma
Deputy Director
Disaster Management Program
Email: allan.calma@communityworldservice.asia
Cell: +92 301 5801621
Muhammad Fazal
Associate Director
Emergencies/DRR/Climate Change
Email: fazil.sardar@communitryworldservice.asia
Cell: +92 332 5586134
Palwashay Arbab
Senior Communications Officer
Email: palwashay.arbab@communityworldservice.asia
Cell: +92 42 3586 5338
Floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains continued to cause devastation in areas along the Chenab and other small rivers and tributaries placing lives and valuable assets of the people at risk. Due to these rains and flood related incidents, 11 people lost their lives in Rawalpindi so far.
In Jhang, due to the damaged protection bund, flood water has inundated several villages destroying the agriculture land and crops.
The already affected areas include Jhang, Layyay and Qadirabad. Due to the increase in the water level in the rivers, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh, Multan and Wazirabad are at high risk of flooding as well.
Emergency warnings have been released through loud speakers and the communities at higher risk have been advised to evacuate the area. The water level is continuously increasing in rivers and dams in different areas of the country including Punjab and the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The Pakistan Metrological Department has predicted more rains in most parts of KPK and Punjab in the coming weeks.
Community World Service Asia is currently monitoring the situation. Its emergency response teams are prepared and will start emergency response activities if required as per their Monsoon Contingency Plan.
Contacts:
Allan A. Calma
Deputy Director
Disaster Management Program
Email: allan.calma@communityworldservice.asia
Cell: +92 301 5801621
Muhammad Fazal
Associate Director
Emergencies/DRR/Climate Change
Email: fazil.sardar@communityworldservice.asia
Cell: +92 332 5586134
Palwashay Arbab
Senior Communications Officer
Palwashay.arbab@communityworldservice.asia
Cell: +92 42 3586 5338
Sources:
www.dawn.com
www.express.com.pk
Picture: http://92newshd.tv
Flash floods caused by heavy monsoon rains killed at least 11 people including two children in different areas of Rawalpindi on Tuesday, July 7.
The flash floods swept away five people, of whom four drowned. There were reports of more casualties due to structural collapse and electrocution but the exact figure of these have not yet been confirmed.
The water surged into the houses and its level reached up to two feet in the surrounding areas. Terrified residents were seen sitting on rooftops as floodwaters gushed through the streets in localities of Rawalpindi.
A red alert has been issued for the Lai Nullah and the people living on the river banks have been advised to evacuate the areas.
A flood warning has also been issued for the Chinab River till 9th of July.
Further spells of monsoon rains are predicted to hit the affected regions again. Monsoon rains cause widespread casualties and damage to property every year in Pakistan.
Community World Service Asia is currently monitoring the situation. Its emergency response teams are prepared and will start emergency response activities if required.
To view the contingency plan for this emergency response, click here to download Monsoon Contingency Plan
Contacts:
Allan A. Calma
Deputy Director
Disaster Management Program
Email: allan.calma@communityworldservice.asia
Cell: +92 301 5801621
Muhammad Fazal
Associate Director
Emergencies/DRR/Climate Change
Email: fazil.sardar@communityworldservice.asia
Cell: +92 332 5586134
Palwashay Arbab
Senior Communications Officer
Email: palwashay.arbab@communityworldservice.asia
Ph: +92 42 3586 5338
Sources:
www.dawn.com
www.express.com.pk
Picture: Reuters - Akhtar Soomro
Considering the likelihood of floods caused by heavy precipitation in the coming monsoon season, Community World Service Asia has developed this contingency plan to enable its team and partners to timely and effectively respond should an emergency response be required.
Picture: www.dailypakistan.com.pk
Community World Service Asia is responding to the emergency crisis that has unfolded due to the heat wave that has hit Sind, Pakistan. High temperatures combined with the draining humidity has left people dehydrated and heat stroked. Electricity shortages, unavailability of drinking water and difficult access to hospitals has led to a death toll of more than a thousand people, which is escalating further by the day.
Claiming lives across southern Pakistan by the hour, this heat wave has caused the most casualties in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Kunri, Mirpur Khas, Mithi, Umerkot, Dadu and upper Sind. People living in rural Sindh are amongst the most vulnerable as the temperatures are higher here, hospitals are far flung and the awareness level on mitigating the impact of heat strokes is very low. These people have very limited access to clean drinking water and electricity.
The livestock of the hundreds of people affected by this heat wave in rural Sind is also suffering; animals are dying of extreme heat and lack of water. Crops are drying due to this drought-like situation. In short the entire ecosystem of these areas is being harmed. Awareness and trainings are required to equip these affected communities to respond to such extreme temperatures.
With the on-ground support of partners in Sind, Community World Service Asia has launched the implementation of the first phase of this emergency response in Mirpurkhas, Nagar Parker and Dadu district today. Emergency Heat Treatment Centres (EHTCs) have been set up in these areas to treat those suffering from heat exhaustion and strokes and to supply immediate clean drinking water to the affected communities.
This emergency response is planned to be implemented through a three pronged strategy; directly assisting the heat wave/heat stroked patients; minimizing the risks of those populations which are at threat, and to raise awareness on the symptoms and treatment of heat strokes. The first strategy is a short term response, but the latter two aim at achieving sustainable results.
It is reported that this extreme heat situation is going to persist for some time. It is also reported that lower Sind (including Karachi), the coastal areas, Mirpurkhas and some parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are expected to receive moderate and scattered pre-monsoon rains until Thursday, along with dust storms.
The heatwave that hit Pakistan during the last three days has led to an unprecedented increase in morbidity and deaths among the underprivileged populations of Sindh.
Since Saturday June 20th, the extreme hot spell in Karachi and other areas of Southern Pakistan have led to a death toll of 530 people which is expected to escalate further with the rise in temperature as per reports by the three leading English Daily Newspapers (Dawn, The News & Express Tribune). The Daily Express has however reported the death toll to have reached a 1000 people. Hundreds of affected populations have been hospitalized for sun-strokes and other heat related complications. Many are still awaiting emergency health assistance in the far-flung areas of interior Sind and Southern Punjab.
The temperature in Southern Pakistan has been recorded at a constant high continuum, ranging from 43 degree Celsius (in Karachi) to 49 degree Celsius in Jacobabad. As per environmental experts, the country’s heat index has risen because of poor environmental conditions since the past couple of decades. This intense heat wave is affecting the destitute populations more because of the extended electricity breakdowns they face and the unavailability of drinkable water. Fasting in the holy month of Ramadan by many people in these areas may have also contributed to the growing crisis.
Contacts:
Allan A. Calma
Deputy Director
Disaster Management Program
Email: allan.calma@communityworldservice.asia
Cell: +92 301 5801621
Muhammad Fazal
Associate Director
Emergencies/DRR/Climate Change
Email: fazil.sardar@communitryworldservice.asia
Cell: +92 332 5586134
Palwashay Arbab
Senior Communications Officer
Email: palwashay.arbab@communityworldservice.asia
Cell: +92 42 3586 5338
Sources:
www.dawn.com
www.pmd.gov.pk
http://arynews.tv/en/mercury-still-at-38-degrees-in-karachi
http://www.geo.tv/article-188842-Blistering-heat-devours-572-people-in-Pakistan-in-just-2-days
In the past few years the number of internally displaced people has reached about 683,000 persons due to fighting between the Afghan government and Taliban fighters. According to local BBC news and information received locally by Community World Service Asia staff, hundreds of families have currently been displaced from several districts of Nangarhar Province to the provincial capital city of Nangarhar and to the district capitals in eastern Afghanistan due to fighting between Taliban and ISIS. The fighting has been ongoing since the last few weeks, and the displacement from Battikot district of Nangarhar has been confirmed by a spokesman of Nangarhar, Governor Mr. Ahmadzia Abdulzai. Within the first week of the conflict, more than 120 families were displaced from the Nazyan district of Nangarhar. Additionally, the displacement of more families was reported from Kote, Batikut, Achin Shinwari, Khugaini and other districts of Nangarhar.
The ACBAR and INSO Nangarhar office yesterday shared that the number of IDPs from different rural parts of the province to the Jalalabad city specifically, and the district capitals (where the government has strong presence) is expected to increase.
Although no assessment has been completed yet, initial reports identified shelter, food, NFIs, drinking water and health as immediate needs.
Response: Community World Service Asia will closely monitor the situation and will continue to share updates.
Source: http://www.bbc.com/pashto/afghanistan/2015/06/150615_as_nangarhar_is_displaced
Contacts:
Allan A. Calma
Deputy Director, Disaster Management Program
E: allan.calma@communityworldservice.asia
M: +92 301 5801621
Nejabat Khan
Associate Director, Emergencies/DRR/Climate Change
E: nejabat.safi@cwspa.org.pk
M: +93 799326628
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Sunday predicted heavy rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), northeastern Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) during the coming week.
Heavy rains forecasted within the next 24 hours in Malakand, Makran, Kalat, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir are to be accompanied by powerful gusts of wind.
Rainfall of up to 200 millimeters (mm) may occur in these areas within the next 24 hours. The normal rainfall for Pakistan’s monsoon season is usually expected to be around 141mm, while this expected rainfall of up to 200 mm (which is 42 % above the normal range) could cause flooding.
Year Rainfall (mm) Range
2011 236.5 67 % above normal
2012 185 31 % above normal
2013 148 5% above normal
2014 113 20 % below normal
The trend analysis of the rainfalls in Pakistan for the last four years indicates that the average rainfall from 2011 to 2014 had gradually decreased however the current expected rainfall of 200 mm may change the trend again. This anticipated changed pattern may generate high level flooding in the target areas.
Excess rainfall in the Kabul River catchment area along with the snow melting may also cause flooding along connected riverbanks.
Moreover, the deep depression over the east central Arabian Sea has intensified further into a tropical cyclone which is likely to move north-westward in the next 24 hours. Under the influence of this system thundershowers are expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar, Thatta, Badin and Sujawal districts of lower Sindh in the next 24-48 hours and in southern Baluchistan in the next 36 hours.
Contacts:
Allan A. Calma
Deputy Director
Disaster Management Program
allan.calma@communityworldservice.asia
Cell: +92 301 5801621
Muhammad Fazal
Associate Director
Emergencies/DRR/Climate Change
fazil.sardar@communityworldservice.asia
Cell: +92 332 5586134
Palwashay Arbab
Senior Communications Officer
palwashay.arbab@communityworldservice.asia
Ph: +92 42 3586 5338
Sources:
www.pmd.gov.pk
www.dawn.com
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