Pakistan/India: Floods - Sep 1992

The government has declared a state of emergency following torrential rains in the north and centre of Pakistan since the middle of last week. The worst affected area appears to be Azad Kashmir. Over 2,000 people have been reported killed, roads and many bridges are damaged. Agricultural land and crops are seriously affected. The damage is described as enormous. Government authorities at all levels are undertaking emergency operations. The UN Resident Coordinator has convened the Disaster Management Team, consisting of government, UN and other donor representatives, who are working on a preliminary assessment of damage and needs. The government has not yet issued an appeal for international assistance. (UN DHA, 15 Sep 1992)

The intensity of rainfall was highest ever recorded in sub-continent. Unprecedented high flows recorded in catchment areas of rivers Jhelum and Chenab similarly, severe damages reported in Azad Kashmir and northern areas. The high flood water now heading towards Sindh province. Worst of disaster may yet come as flood waters move south and threaten to destroy headworks which control flow five main rivers in the country. Exact numbers of human casualties not yet known, since flooding still continuing. Preliminary official estimates are over 700 people dead of which 143 in Punjab, with many still missing. Other, usually reliable sources put the death toll at over 2,000. Karakuram highway linking Pakistan with China badly damaged and closed for traffic. Major port of Punjab river basin devastated by floods. Thousands of villages under water and housing and crops (particularly cotton) worth billions of rupees totally destroyed. Food shortage expected in flood affected areas. (UN DHA, 16 Sep 1992)

The worst flood disaster of the century in Pakistan is still evolving. More rainfall and thunderstorms are expected and the floods are still spreading south to Sindh. Nearly 2 million people have been affected and an area of more than 3 million acres is flooded. Around 56,000 houses have been demolished and another 20,000 damaged. The number of deaths is now estimated at over 2,000. Numerous bridges and roads particularly in the northwestern frontier province have been destroyed and the damage to crops (cotton) runs into hundreds of millions of dollars. The army continues to assist the local authorities with emergency relief and tents, blankets, clothes and food have been distributed. (UN DHA, 19 Sep 1992)

India: Recent floods in states of Uttar Pradesh, Jammu And Kashmir have led to almost 500 dead. Some 14,000 houses damaged. Road networks impaired by landslides and serious damage to crops. (UN DHA, 21 Sep 1992)

The floods in Pakistan that have raged south through Pakistan for two weeks started to recede over the weekend. The government declared a state of emergency for this worst disaster of the century early last week. Damage as reported by the government: persons dead 1,171; persons affected 5,658,498; villages affected 7,108; area affected (acres) 4,767,523; damage to crops (USD million) 22.8; houses damaged/demolished 450,000; forest and timber destroyed (CFT million) 1.5; damage to infrastructure (USD million) 71.2. (UN DHA, 23 Sep 1992)

Floods have receded. Damage is over USD 1 billion, of which USD 513 million consists of public sector infrastructure losses. (UN DHA, 16 Oct 1992)