OCHA Pakistan Monsoon Flash Update #2 - 5 August 2013

Government responds following heavy rains in Pakistan

Government authorities in Pakistan continue rescue and relief activities in areas affected by heavy monsoon rains and have not requested for international assistance at this stage.

Reports indicate heavy monsoon rains have claimed over 80 lives across Pakistan, displaced hundreds, ravaged thousands of acres of standing crops and caused colossal damages to houses and infrastructure.

In Balochistan, five districts – Jhal Magsi, Sibi, Jaffarabad, Loralai and Naseerabad – have been affected, with Jhal Magsi and Loralai being worst-hit. The Balochistan PDMA has provided food packets, tents, non-food items and dewatering pumps to the affected districts. Local authorities in Jhal Magsi are working on fixing canal breaches and rehabilitating damaged roads.

In Punjab, the southern Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur have been badly affected by the monsoon rains and ensuing flooding. The District Government, the Army and the service Rescue 1122 are rescuing and evacuating people from affected areas. PDMA has sent food and tents to the affected areas.

In Sindh, major flooding occurred in Karachi (Saadi Town and Safoora Ghoth) and caused displacement of 300 families. 15 villages were inundated at Jang Shahi, District Thatta, due to cloud burst. Rain in the district Tharparkar has mitigated the drought-like situation in the area. PDMA has distributed tents, mosquito nets and dewatering pumps. The army is supporting Karachi District Governments in rescue and dewatering.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as of now Chitral is the worst-hit district, where hundreds of people have been rendered shelterless. For the time being the water is receding and the rains have stopped.

Weather forecasts indicate one or two more active monsoon spells are expected in mid-August.

Please find a Monsoon Situation map at this link.

Flash Update #3 is expected to be issued in the following days.