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Monsoon Rains across Pakistan in 2014
Geneva, 8 September 2014
Brief description of the emergency and impact: Heavy rainfall claimed the lives of 74 people and injured over 90 others in Punjab, Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. More specifically, the rains have claimed 40 lives in Punjab, 30 in Kashmir, and 4 in Haripur District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. The torrential rain caused a very high flood in River Chenab, and Lahore received a record 432mm of rain in three days. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) also shared that Palandri in Azad Jammu & Kashmir was the worst-hit town which received 313mm of rain in 24 hours. Water levels in River Jehlum, Neelum, and Kunhar are reported to be gradually increasing. Media channels also report that India plans to release 12,00,000 cusecs tonight in River Chenab and River Ravi. This will result in major flooding in adjacent districts of Punjab.
Further, the PMD forecast widespread thundershowers and heavy rain in Punjab and the north of the country in the coming 72 hours. Major rivers are expected to remain or reach flood levels. Low-lying areas in Lahore have been totally submerged and electricity and transport systems have been badly affected because of the rain. Business activities remain disrupted in many affected areas. The National Disaster Management Authority has issued an “exceptionally high flood level warning.”
Approximately 100,000 vulnerable people living in low-lying areas of Islamabad and surrounding localities near the Islamabad Highway remain at risk of facing extreme flooding. The PMD also reports that continuous rains in the high flooding rivers over the next two days may inundate vast swatches of land in Punjab.
Why is an ACT response needed: Pakistan has experienced deadly monsoon floods over the last four years. In 2013, 178 lives were lost and around 1.5 million people affected by flooding around the country. The struggle to recover from previous flooding continues among poor communities and new flooding places them at greater risks, particularly in the worst affected areas. Families have lost homes and livelihoods. Country-wide rapid inflation along with lack of employment opportunities and access to basic necessities has made recovery an ongoing challenge for previously flood-affected families. Efforts to mitigate risks and damages caused by yearly monsoon rainfall have been insufficient, and the likelihood of a worsening situation remains high.
National and international response: Financial assistance of 500,000 rupees (USD 4,850) to families of deceased persons and 100,000 rupees (USD 970) to injured persons was announced by Punjab’s Chief Minister. Government bodies continue evacuation activities in affected areas. No official information on the need for humanitarian assistance has been received. The humanitarian community, collectively and individually, has worked on contingency plans for the 2014 monsoon season and coordination with the government and humanitarian community to respond to needs when and where needed.
ACT Alliance response: The ACT Pakistan Forum is closely monitoring the situation and is in contact with its partners and staff in the field for initial assessments. The ACT Pakistan Forum has also finalized its joint contingency plan for the monsoon season and is ready to respond whenever required.
Planned activities: The Forum members are in coordination and communication with its partners, local stakeholders and staff on ground. Assessments are being planned to get more accurate information on the situation on ground.
Constraints: Access to affected communities is currently challenging owing to blocked and flooded sections of roads.
The members of the ACT Pakistan Forum include Church World Service-Pakistan/Afghanistan, Norwegian Church Aid, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, and Christian Aid.
