ReliefWeb

Ref. OCHA/GVA - 2003/0033
OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Pakistan - Storm
occurred: 17 February 2003

This report is based on information provided by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Pakistan and the media.

Click here to see Pakistan: Storm - Location Map

I. SITUATION AND DAMAGE

1. On 17 February 2003, violent winds, heavy rains and snowfall have lashed Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan, killing and injuring people. Pakistan was the worst affected with the death of 51 persons.

2 .In Baluchistan, at least 9 people have died and more than 30 have been injured. The rain caused damage to crops and loss of livestock. About 450 mud houses and 100 shops were destroyed. In the outskirts of Quetta, the earthen Murghikotal Water Reservoir developed a breach resulting in the flooding of the village downstream.

3. In Sindh, Karachi is reported to be the worst hit with 9 persons killed in the localities of Gadap and Surjani. Moreover, about 135 families have been affected by the downpour. The district authorities of Hyderabad, the second largest city of Sindh Province, which has also suffered from the constant rains, have declared a state of emergency.

4. In the North Western Frontier Province (NWFP), 27 persons died in different incidents due to the rain, mainly due to the collapse of roofs and houses, as well as mudslides. Heavy snowfall in Upper Dir is reported to have caused a complete breakdown of communications.

5. In Punjab, one person died in Gujranwala and 20 persons were injured in Vehari due to the collapse of 50 mud houses as a result of the rain. No exact details of casualties are available for the moment.

6. The Northern Areas of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir have also been affected by rain and snowfall. One person died and 4 were injured in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir. The main Karakoram Highway is blocked at 7 different locations due to landslides.

II. NATIONAL RESPONSE

7. A state of emergency was declared in Hyderabad region for three days from Monday 17 February 2003. Educational institutions will remain closed during this period.

8. The local authorities are reported to be well in control.

III. REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE

9. No official Government request for international assistance has been received. No external assistance has been reported to OCHA so far.

10. OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator and will revert with further information if the situation warrants it.

11. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
Ms. Marie Spaak, Ms. Héloïse Ruaudel, Ms. Caroline Péguet
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 /17 69/31 31

Press contact:
(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
(N.Y.) Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. +1-212-963 87 40