Pakistan flood in numbers: 1600 dead, 33 million displaced as Islamabad faces worst natural calamity in years

By: Yash Gupte

The WHO has declared Pakistan's worst floods on record as a "high level" emergency, warning of a rapid spread of disease due to a lack of access to medical care.

Pakistan is currently going through its one of the worst humanitarian crisis in its history. Pakistan is witnessing its worst floods this century, with rivers overflowing their banks, flash flooding, and glacier lakes bursting. At least one-third of the country is flooded. Several elements, according to scientists, have contributed to the severe catastrophe, which has displaced 33 million people and killed over 1,600 people and has led to the destruction of around 7000 km of roads and 500 bridges across the country. According to researchers, the disaster was most likely triggered by unprecedented heat waves. Temperatures in numerous places exceeded 40 degrees Celsius for extended periods in April and May.

While Europe, China, and other parts of the world are suffering from severe droughts, Pakistan is experiencing one of the deadliest floods in its recent history. According to reports, the flooding has hit approximately 110 of the country's 150 districts. The WHO has declared Pakistan's worst floods on record as a "high level" emergency, warning of a rapid spread of disease due to a lack of access to medical care. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan, around 1600-1700 people have lost their lives due to the floods and out of those dead, 550 are children. A report by NDMA shows that the provinces of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan are the worst affected provinces due to the floods. Around 4,72,000 people are staying in rehabilitation camps across different parts of Pakistan.

In the daily report published by NDMA on 21^st September 2022, it shows that the total cash disbursement planned under the flood relief assistance under Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is 57,541,350,000 PKR, out of which 26,368,725,000 has been disbursed till date.

Source: National Disaster Management Authority, Pakistan

The maximum numbers of deaths were reported in the period between 26^th-31^st August as this period had reported maximum rainfall which resulted in the flooding of Sutlej and Kabul rivers in Pakistan. It must be noted that the number of deaths decreased over the period as 86 deaths were recorded from 6^th September to 10^th September. Though, the number of casualties have been decreasing, this doesn’t mean that the country is out of danger and there is an improvement in the situation.

The biggest problem faced by Pakistan, post floods is the rapid spread of diseases like dengue, malaria, cholera, typhoid and diarrhea. As per Reuters, around 324 people lost their lives due to the massive spread of diseases. According to the Sindh Provincial government, around 4876 people tested positive for malaria. 44,000 cases of malaria were reported this week in the southern region, according to the United Nations Pakistan, which also noted that typhoid, malaria, and diarrhea cases were all rapidly spreading. Thousands of people who have been displaced are living in the open. These people couldn’t be accommodated in the relief camps as the camps have already reached their maximum capacity. Poor living conditions and drinking contaminated water have made the situation worse and this has resulted into rapid spread of diseases.

Taking a note of the situation, Hollywood actress and UN humanitarian Angelina Jolie arrived in Karachi yesterday and paid a visit to the relief camps with international aid organization- International Rescue Committee (IRC) to raise awareness. The Pakistan Armed Forces (PAF) which includes Army, Navy and Air Force have been constantly providing aid to the distressed. As per the NDMA’s report, PAF have set up 7380 tents for the displaced people, have distributed 2,87,677 food packets, have provided 2495 tons of ration to the affected till 3^rd September 2022. PAF have attended 52,625 patients in its medical health camps.

The Pakistan government and the international humanitarian agencies and the NGOs have a long way ahead to overcome the humanitarian crisis.