Flood 2020, Pakistan

Pakistan is worst-hit by torrential rains that lashed several cities and remote areas, triggering flash floods, causing deaths, injuries, and loss of property.  Also, damaged ready or standing wheat, cotton, and other crops.   The harsh weather turmoil resulted in windstorms, heavy downpour and hail storms which brought chaos, especially; in southern as well as other parts of Pakistan. Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported on 09 August that heavy monsoon rainfall has caused flooding and damages in Balochistan and Sindh provinces over the last few days. In Balochistan, 8 people have died in floods in recent days, with many more reportedly missing. Over 140 homes have been completely destroyed. NDMA said flooding struck in the districts of Khuzdar, Jhal Magsi, Lasbela, Gwadar, Pasni, Kachi and Dera Bugti from 07 August 2020. Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported Ormara in Gwadar District recorded 88mm of rain in 24 hours on 08 August. The city of Khuzdar saw 51 mm of rain and Pasni 61.5 mm during the same period.

Meanwhile, in Sindh Province, heavy rainfall from 06 August caused flooding in Karachi, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sakrand, Tando Jam and Thatta, according to NDMA. Pakistan Air Force Base at Faisal in Karachi recorded 94 mm of rain in 24 hours on 07 August. Severe flooding occurred in the west of the province from 08 August after floodwater from Balochistan made its way downstream along the Nai Gaj river. NDMA reported 50 villages in Dadu District were flooded.

Hundreds of people were rescued by military personnel. In a statement, the Pakistan Armed Forces said: “The recent rains have caused damage to the Nai Gaj Dam, resulting in the breach of the flood protection bund of the dam. As a result, at least 12 villages of the district have been badly affected.”

“Army troops, including army engineers, along with, motorboats and army medical teams have reached affected areas for rescue and relief efforts,” it added.

According to NDMA figures, 58 people have now died in the country in this year’s monsoon.  The first casualties were reported in early-June after heavy rainfall in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said: “Pakistan Army troops busy in relief and rescue efforts in various areas of Dadu to help people affected by recent hill torrent and breach of flood protection bund of Nai Gaj Dam.  Recent rains and hill torrents had caused damage to Nai Gaj Dam and caused a breach in the flood protection bund.   Twelve villages of Dadu district badly affected due to hill torrent and breach of bund. Army troops Including Army Engineer motor boats and Army medical teams reached affected areas for rescue and relief efforts for stranded people in distress in Dadu,” the statement said.   On Sunday, the civil administration, including Hyderabad Divisional Commissioner Abbas Baloch, Dadu Deputy Commissioner Raja Shahzaman Khuhro, and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) were also busy overseeing rescue and relief operations.

Situation Analysis:

Every year, many cities in Pakistan struggle to cope with the annual monsoon rains. According to local media of District Bolan in Baluchistan that due to heavy rains from last night National Highway is blocked rains have overflowed to Garai Nalla both ways of the road are blocked for transport many vehicles are stuck on the way. Troops with boats rushed to a flood-affected district in Sindh on Sunday to evacuate people to safer places.  The military said on Sunday that it had rescued more than 100 people from Dadu district in Sindh.  Heavy rainfall began last week and continued on Sunday, flooding streets in the eastern city of Lahore.  According to the Meteorological Department, heavy rains are expected to continue next week.

Around 350 villages located in 14 union councils of Johi Taluka were mainly affected by the flooding, said the divisional commissioner, adding that the water was taking its natural course so far and the water level was dropping at Haji Mori bridge where it was being gauged.  Villages in union councils Pat Gul Mohammad, Drig Bala, Wahi Pandhi, Rahim Khan, Sawaro, Chhinni and Kamal Khan were badly affected.  People have lost their livestock and the summer cotton crop,” said local journalist Wafa Birahamani from Johi. He claimed that all roads and communication networks in Johi Taluka had been affected due to the flooding. “We have seen this for the first time”, he said.

Preliminary Damages:

• 350 VILLAGES IN JOHI, DISTRICT DADU, SINDH AFFECTED in 14 UNION COUNCILS
• 20,000 HOUSEHOLDS IN JOHI, DISTRICT DADU, SINDH AFFECTED in 14 UNION COUNCILS
• 200 WATER SOURCES (SOLAR TUBEWELLS) DAMAGED
• 33 WATER SCHEEMS BROKEN
• 200,000 ACRES OF STANDING CROPS OF DISTROYED OR DISPLACED
• 50 ROAD DESTROYED
• 181 SCHOOLS DEMOLISHED
• LARGE NUMBER OF LIVESTOCK PERISHED AWAY

Urgent Need:

• WATER
• FOOD SUPPLIES
• HYGIENE KITS
• UTENSILS FOR COOKING
• TENTS FOR SHELTER
• MEDICAL CAMPS
• PSYCO SOCIAL SUPPORT

Response of Pak Mission Society (PMS):

Disaster Response Team (DRT) of PMS has already reached in Johi, District Dadu in Sindh. PMS is mandated to Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Response and have maintained its impartial identity while carrying out relief interventions in diverse geographical out-reach regions across Pakistan.   PMS is launching an Emergency Flood Appeal for the most affected multitudes, who are largely marginalized and unreached, with special attention to the women, children and elderly.

Through this appeal, Pak Mission Society (PMS) intends to restore quality of life among the most disadvantaged poor communities who despite their stern survival efforts, barely make both ends meet, due to unbeatable price hick and economic depression even in normal days.

PMS has maintained cordial coordination with the government line departments at district and provincial level in carrying out Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) response to the most affected communities in the remotest areas of Pakistan.  This flood emergency response will be executed by the qualified team of the Crisis Management, Department of PMS which is led by the professional duty bearers who have already responded to number of emergency situations such as drought, earthquakes, snow and avalanche disasters across Pakistan. The Crisis Management Team has participated in the number of disaster risk management trainings, crisis response, sphere standards, core humanitarian standards (CHS), people in need.

Contacts:

Sunil Gill
Director Programmes
Email: [email protected]
Cell: +92 345 475 4751

Sohail Gill
Manager Disaster Response
Email: [email protected]
Cell: +92 345 008 0711

Communication Office
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +92 51 844 6166

Sources:
www.floodlist.com