OCHA Pakistan Monsoon Flash Update #4 - 19 August 2013

Monsoon rains cause flooding in Punjab, evacuations under way in Sindh

A weeklong spell of monsoon rains has caused massive flooding in various cities in central and northern Punjab.

According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Punjab accounts for 80 per cent of the nearly 400,000 people so far affected by the monsoon rains experienced since early August.

The rains have also affected over 321,000 acres of crops and damaged or destroyed about 10,000 houses, mainly in Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. More details on monsoon-related losses reported by the NDMA are available here.

So far, local authorities have provided 31,000 tents, 61,000 food packs, 1,700 blankets, 23,000 mosquito nets, among other relief items, to flood-affected people. The Government has not requested international assistance at this stage.

Punjab

Major urban centres in northern Punjab have been affected by heavy rains and flooding in the rivers Indus, Chenab, Ravi and their tributaries.

Flooding in River Chenab and Nallah Dek has affected several villages in Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sheikhupara, Chiniot, Jhang, and Narowal districts.

Sindh

Sindh is expected to receive flood water from upcountry at Guddu and Sukkur barrages on 19 and 20 August. Government authorities have alerted, and in some cases evacuated people residing in and along floodplains to safer areas.

People are evacuating vulnerable locations in Sukkur, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Ghotki and Larkana districts. In case of high floods at Guddu and Sukkur, nearly 1 million people could be affected in several districts.

Forecast

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, mainly hot and humid weather is expected in most parts of the country in the next 48 hours.

However, isolated rains and thunderstorms are expected in Gujranwala, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Pakistan-Administered Kashmir. Also, light rainfall is expected in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dera Ghazi Khan and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Flash Update #5 is expected to be issued in the following days.