OCHA Pakistan Monsoon Flash Update #1 - 4 August 2013

Monsoon rains cause deaths and damages across Pakistan

Countrywide heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan have triggered flash floods, claimed the lives of at least 60 people and rendered thousands homeless since 1 August. The rains have also led to an extensive loss of crops, property and livelihoods, and caused widespread damages to infrastructure. The Government of Pakistan has not requested international assistance at this stage.

In Balochistan, extensive flooding and damages have been reported in Sibi, Harnai, Jhal Magsi, Loralai and Jaffarabad districts. The military is conducting search and rescue operations, and the Balochistan Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has locally asked for medical supplies. Humanitarian partners today held an inter-cluster coordination meeting in Quetta.

In KP, the PDMA reported deaths, injuries and damages in Chitral, Bannu, Tank, Peshawar and Lakki Marwat districts. Flash floods damaged houses, irrigation canals and water and electricity supply systems. The PDMA distributed NFIs to affected families from Chitral in Peshawar.

In FATA, loss of life, crops and property has been reported in Frontier Region Tank, South Waziristan, Kurram, Khyber and Bajaur agencies.

In Punjab, hill torrents unleashed by heavy rains swept through over 187,000 acres of farmland and affected over 165,000 people in Rajanpur, according to an initial assessment by local humanitarian partners.

In Sindh, Karachi reportedly received 140mm of rain and is worst affected. Lyari and Malir streams (nullahs) and runoff water from Kirthar Ranges caused extensive flooding and loss of life, property and infrastructure. Local authorities, the military and voluntary organizations are providing assistance in affected areas. Jacobabad, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Benazirabad, Sanghar, Thatta and other parts of rural Sindh have also been affected by the heavy rains.

These rains signify the start of the active monsoon phase and are expected to persist in southern parts of the country over the next 24 to 36 hours. Floodwaters will drain into the Indus River and, therefore, South Punjab and Sindh will remain vulnerable to riverine flooding over the next four to six days, which may lead to further loss of life and property.

Weather forecasts indicate one or two more active monsoon spells are expected in mid-August. Flash Update #2 (or Situation Report #1) is expected to be issued tomorrow, 5 August 2013.