Heavy rainfall triggers evacuation of 19,000 people in Pakistan's Punjab region, with flood warnings in effect due to impending monsoon season threats
Pakistan Braces for Continued Monsoon Flooding and Potential Crisis
Pakistan is once again grappling with the devastating effects of monsoon flooding, which typically persists from June to September. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, severe weather is expected to continue into early September, increasing the risk of further flooding, landslides, and crop losses.
The economic losses caused by this year's floods are estimated to be a staggering USD 40 billion. The Punjab government has already evacuated over 19,000 people from flood-affected areas of the province, and the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) is rapidly growing. This number is the second-largest since the 2010 Attabad disaster.
The epicentre of the crisis is the Sutlej River. The next 96 hours are critical for Pakistan's Punjab due to an impending monsoon spell. The monsoon season has been causing widespread destruction in recent years, leading to deadly landslides and large-scale displacement. In 2022, Pakistan experienced unprecedented floods that resulted in over 1,700 deaths.
Survivors in the flood-hit areas face a shortage of water for drinking and irrigation. The monsoon flooding often affects densely populated or poorly drained regions, exacerbating the crisis. The situation in Gilgit-Baltistan is also of concern, as the monsoon spell is expected to bring heavy rain and flash floods to the region.
In an effort to alleviate the humanitarian situation, the organization Help (Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe) has been monitoring the floods in Pakistan since mid-July 2022. They have assessed the needs for relief supplies and support by observing the situation in their project region Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Help has been providing emergency aid such as food and mosquito nets, deploying mobile clinics, improving water supply, promoting hygiene, and training emergency teams in 50 communities to better respond to future disasters.
However, infrastructure damage is a common result of monsoon flooding in Pakistan. The 2022 floods displaced millions of people, leaving many without access to basic necessities and essential services. Israruddin Israr, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan GB coordinator, reported that 330 households, comprising over 3,000 individuals, had become IDPs due to a recent glacial lake outburst flood in Talidas village in Ghizer district.
As Pakistan continues to battle the monsoon flooding, the international community is urged to provide aid and support to those affected. The humanitarian situation remains critical, and urgent action is needed to prevent further loss of life and property.
