Recent floods in Pakistan were a disaster. They visit our country quite frequently. We live in modern age, which is remarkable for its scientific advancement but man has failed to overcome floods completely. However, we can set aside adverse results of floods to some extent. Floods destroy everything which man achieves after a struggle of many years. In Punjab, recent floods played a havoc unknown in history.

Almost, all rivers overflowed their banks and destroyed everything. Villages of Lahore, Dera Gazi Khan, Jhang, Multan and Sargodha were submerged in water. People saved their lives by climbing up trees. Villagers were sleeping in their homes when water of flooding river entered their homes and caused an alarm. They were caught unawares. They rushed out of their homes without taking with them their goods and articles of house. Epidemics broke out in villages. Crops were destroyed. Fertile land turned barren and dry. Whole system of communication was paralysed for many days. People saved their lives by swimming in Water. Many of them climbed up trees. Army was called in. It was due to sincere and dedicated efforts of young men of Army that lives of many flood affectees were saved. Entire machinery of government tried its best to set aside adverse effects of flood. Relief centres were set up in every town, city and capital. Rich and well-to-date people came forward to help their affected brothers. Causes of flood are many.

First, they are caused by heavy rainfall in monsoon. Secondly, Snow on hills begins to melt in summer heat. Rivers get swollen. When this continues for some time, waters rise beyond banks of rivers and overspread neighbouring ground. Thirdly, beds of river are not very deep. That is why they overflow very soon. Heavy monsoon rainfall and floods have affected some 2.3 million people in Pakistan since mid-June, destroying at least 95,350 houses and damaging some 224,100 more. Sindh and Balochistan are two most affected provinces in terms of human and infrastructural impact. Over 504,000 livestock have been killed, nearly all of them in Balochistan Province, while damages to nearly 3,000 km of roads and 129 bridges have impeded access across flood-affected areas. Provisional data from provincial Education Departments show that at least 17,566 schools have been damaged or destroyed due to emergency: 15,842 schools in Sindh, 544 in Balochistan and 1,180 in Punjab. Additionally, at least 5,492 schools are reportedly being used to accommodate displaced people.

A rapid needs assessment (RNA) conducted in 10 districts of Balochistan found that 977 classrooms were completely destroyed (304 in Khuzdar, 193 in Lasbela and 167 in Jhal Magsi), while minor damage was reported in 975 classrooms (304 in Khuzdar, 156 in Lasbela and 174 in Jhal Magsi), and 577 schools were being used as shelter (254 in Killa Saifullah, 105 in Jhal Magsi and 84 in Lasbela). At request of Balochistan Provincial Disaster Management Authority a multisectoral rapid needs assessment was undertaken in 10 districts of Balochistan to identify priority needs and gaps across sectors. Humanitarian partners are supporting government-led response in affected areas, redirecting existing resources to meet most urgent needs while working to further scale up response. 

Pakistan continues to be affected by monsoon rainfall, leading to an increased humanitarian impact. On August 23-24, National Disaster Management Authority reported 73 fatalities (of which 31 in Sindh province), due to floods, landslides, flash floods and severe weather-related incidents. Since beginning of monsoon season (mid-June), more than 900 people have died and around 1,290 individual sustained injuries. More than 3 million persons have been affected by monsoons, of which 184,000 have been displaced to relief camps across Pakistan. Damage has been reported to more than 495,200 houses. In addition, 702,100 livestock has been lost and more than 3,000 km of roads and 130 bridges have been damaged. Humanitarian situation in Pakistan has deteriorated further over past two weeks as heavy rains continue to cause flooding and landslides resulting in displacement and damage across country.

Sixty-six districts have been officially declared to be ‘calamity hit’ by government of Pakistan-31 in Balochistan, 23 in Sindh, nine in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and three in Punjab. 116 districts have been affected, including 66 districts officially declared ‘calamity hit’. At least 937 people were killed and 1,343 people injured since June 14. Over 218,000 houses have been destroyed and a further 452,000 damaged since June 14, according to NDMA.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 01 2022

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