Flood Situation In Sind And Baluchistan

 

Flood Situation In Sind And Baluchistan

The post-monsoon disaster in Pakistan resulted from a series of administrative failures. The flood-prone provinces of Sind and Baluchistan did not have comprehensive evacuation plans and inadequate infrastructure for shedding water. The flood-prone regions also failed to implement a comprehensive plan to reduce the future risk of flooding. Moreover, the country's chief meteorologist was accused of embezzling funds and sacked after the rains hit.

Floods in Sind and Baluchistan

Heavy monsoon rains have swept Pakistan's southeast and southwest, causing flash floods in Sind and Baluchistan. Since mid-June, floods have killed at least 134 people, destroyed homes, crops, and livestock, and damaged hundreds of kilometres of roads and bridges. Across the two provinces, nearly half a million acres of cotton have been destroyed.

The floods devastated Sind and Baluchistan provinces, affecting at least 8.8 million people and 14,000 people. The human cost of the disaster is estimated at $215 million, but the damage will probably go up even more. Because many areas remain inaccessible, it's difficult to assess the accurate scale of the devastation.

Oxfam, a global humanitarian aid organization, expressed alarm over the floods in Baluchistan and Sind provinces. In the past, Pakistan's government committed $3.20 per person per ten days to flood relief, but this year's commitment was only $1.30 per person per 10 days. Oxfam has urged the government and international community to increase funding.

The flooding has devastated many towns and villages. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced, and their livelihoods are at risk. As of now, reconstruction is estimated to take up to five years. In the meantime, Pakistan's Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, has pledged to help flood victims in the two provinces.

Several countries have pledged to provide financial assistance to Pakistan for flood relief. The United Kingdom has committed $17.3 million, and other European nations have joined the cause. A further $1.8 million will come from China and the United Arab Emirates. The European Union has also pledged aid.

Pakistan's climate has been affected by climate change, and the heaviest rains have hit the two provinces in recent history. Pakistan is the far western edge of South Asia's monsoon region. It is also a rider and receives far less rainfall than parts of India. Climate change, a dry climate, and a lack of floodplains have contributed to the severity of flooding in the country.

The situation in Sind and Baluchistan is bleak. More than three core people have been affected, and 50 percent of livestock have been washed away. Food supplies for an entire year have also been destroyed. There is a huge need for medicines, rations, and clothing.

Illegal logging

Illegal logging in Pakistan's Baluchistan and Sind provinces is causing the worst flooding in decades. Trees are essential to stabilize the soil, prevent flooding and limit sediment deposition during heavy rain events. Many videos on Twitter show people dragging massive logs from a gushing river and stacking them along the roadside. These logs are often unbranched and can destroy homes and livelihoods. One man lost his hotel to floods and had to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair it. However, Shinwari said he believes in God and plans to rebuild his hotel 600 feet away from the river.

Climate change is a significant factor contributing to extreme flooding in Pakistan. However, the government has failed to address the situation adequately, and many of the problems that result from excessive rainfall are linked to corruption, mismanagement of water resources, and poor governance. These issues have left the poor and middle classes most affected by the disaster. Furthermore, many of the structures in these areas are illegal or poorly constructed, and local authorities have little capacity to prevent unlawful construction. The army chief has recently called for legal action against those responsible for erecting structures in flood-prone areas.

Illegal logging degrades forest habitats, making Pakistan more vulnerable to floods. Only five percent of the country's land is forested, and the deforestation rate is higher than the average in the world. The loss of trees will make Pakistan more vulnerable to landslides and floods.

The floods in Pakistan have killed over a thousand people and affected over 33 million people. A massive relief effort is underway to provide water, food, and shelter to the displaced people. The United Nations has estimated the floods as the worst humanitarian crisis in decades.

Changing climate conditions have increased the frequency and intensity of natural disasters in Pakistan. If the mercury rises to 1.2 degrees centigrade above pre-industrial levels, Pakistan will likely experience more extreme weather. For example, Zermatt Shinwari's hotel in Kalam collapsed and was swallowed by the raging water.

Government response

The floods in Sind and Baluchistan are causing many displaced people, and the government is trying to help. According to the World Health Organization, more than four hundred health facilities have been rendered inoperable, and the floods have caused several serious illnesses. Many people are suffering from respiratory diseases, diarrhea, and even typhoid. Half a million people are in emergency relief camps, and doctors are worried about the spread of opportunistic vector-borne infections in flooded areas.

There have also been reports of hoarding of aid. The floods in Pakistan have led to several dam breaches, representing a national failure to contain the disaster. Social media accounts are filled with pictures of houses and buildings that have been washed away. One official has said that it could take up to six months for the flood waters to recede in the worst affected areas. Waterborne diseases like malaria and dengue fever are also serious concerns.

The floods have affected 33 million people across the country. Thousands of homes were destroyed, and more than 700,000 cattle and sheep were killed. Hundreds of kilometers of roads and bridges have also been damaged. Over a million crops have been affected, destroying nearly half of the cotton and wheat harvest.

The UNHCR and UNICEF are supporting the government-led flood response efforts in Pakistan. Humanitarian organizations are working against time to help the people who are most in need. Nearly eight million people have been displaced, and UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations are racing against the clock to help them.

Several national and international NGOs are assisting in the flood-affected areas. They are distributing life-saving items such as food, water, and sanitation. The International Rescue Committee has also set up emergency response centres in neighboring Afghanistan. With these funds, the organization provides life-saving assistance in Baluchistan and Sind.