The Monsoon season in Balochistan results in the variable intensity of rainfall from June to September every year. Floods, flash floods, riverine floods, and urban floods are the most recurrent phenomenon coupled with other potent hazards like Cloudburst, Landslides, and GLOFs (Glacial Lakes Outburst Floods) can turn into disasters posing numerous challenges to the disaster management system of the province. Whereas less rainfall in certain parts of Balochistan results in a drought-like situation.
Balochistan: The Hardest Hit Province by Monsoon Rains
Keeping in view, the current situation in districts of Balochistan, with the ongoing Monsoon Season merits adoption of a comprehensive and proactive multi-sectorial strategy and response is required for dealing effectively with all associated challenges.
As authorities scrambled to rescue the thousands who have been left displaced due to flooding in over a dozen districts of the country, especially Balochistan, PM Shehbaz Sharif urged swift action during his visits to flood-hit areas of Balochistan, asking rescue workers to help villagers to evacuate from flooded areas caused by heavy rains, in Lasbela, a district in southwest Baluchistan province, on Tuesday, July 26, 2022.
Authorities in Pakistan’s southern province of Balochistan reported on Monday that the number of deaths from days of severe and persistent monsoon season and river floods had risen to 136.
Based on a fresh crisis report prepared by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 434 individuals have died in rains throughout Pakistan since mid-June, when the rainfall and flooding wrecked houses and swept away roads and bridges.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least developed state, was the most hit by torrential rainfall and consequent flooding, followed by adjacent Sindh.
People caught on trees and roofs in the worst affected Lasbela neighborhood requested immediate rescue in heartbreaking videos that surfaced online.
The floods this year have killed 136 people, injured 70, and destroyed more than 4,000 homes in Balochistan province alone, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said.
At least 7 dams have already been destroyed, whereas others have packed to the rafters, inundating numerous communities, and cutting off communications, according to local officials.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked regional administrations to provide financial support to individuals who have lost close relatives in the Balochistan flooding and rainfall as soon as possible.
During his visit to the flood-hit regions, he reviewed rescue, relief, and rehabilitation measures and met the flood victims in the Shambani village of Jhal Magsi.
During such trip to a shanty town established for flood-affected inhabitants in Qila Saifullah district, the prime minister bemoaned the lack of food and drinking water for displaced people and threatened to dismiss local employees, including that of the deputy commissioner, if sufficient aid was not delivered at the sites.
At least four relief camps have been set up in the Qilla Saifullah, Quetta, Kech, and Lasbela districts of Balochistan.
The prime minister stated that the federal and provincial governments will work together to rebuild households and structures damaged by the storms and flooding.
“The federal government has announced Rs1 million in compensation and the provincial government has already disbursed Rs1m,” he said.
The federal government has increased the financial compensation for the injured from Rs50, 000 to Rs200, 000. The compensation for partially damaged houses has been increased from Rs25,000 to Rs250,000 and from Rs50,000 to Rs500,000 for fully damaged houses.
While on the flight to Quetta, NDMA Chairman Lt. Gen. Akhtar Nawaz updated the prime minister on the aid and rescue efforts.
The prime minister stated that the regional and national disaster response authorities, as well as the provincial legislatures, will undertake a survey to evaluate the extent of the damage inflicted by monsoon floodwaters.
Rescue and Relief Efforts
Forces are still assisting the local administration with rescue operations in the rain-stricken areas. Pakistan’s Army, Navy, and Air Force teams including helicopters have been mobilized to carry out flood relief operations across the country.
Pakistan Navy aided and disaster relief support to people stranded in Uthal, Lakhra, and other small, isolated areas of the Lasbela district.
“Army and Frontier Corps (FC) flood relief activities continue in flood-hit areas of the country. Troops are busy in rescue and relief efforts apart from providing medical care and opening communication infrastructure” according to the official statement.
PAF troops and helicopters are also active participants in giving humanitarian help, emergency relief assistance, rescuing families, and delivering thousands of ration packs to civilians stuck in Balochistan due to severe flooding.
Balochistan Monsoon: Official Facts and Figures So Far
- 136 killed including 47 children,
- 33 women, 56 men,
- 70 injured including 14 children,
- 13,535 houses damaged,
- Six highways covering 640km were severely damaged,
- 16 bridges were damaged,
- 23,013 cattle killed
Official Disaster Reports Description
Over the last several days, heavy downpours has impacted southern and northwest parts of Pakistan, triggering flooding that have caused numerous deaths and property destruction.
According to media reports, in Balochistan Province (southern Pakistan) at least 25 people have died, 35 others have been injured, and several houses and road sections have been flooded.
Quetta is one of the hardest hit districts, and national officials are extending immediate assistance.
After severe rain and flooding in four districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (northwestern Pakistan), three persons were killed, four others were hurt, and eight properties were destroyed.
Furthermore, one Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) event has been reported across the province where at least one person died.
For the next 24 hours, more rain with fierce winds and thundershowers is expected in Balochistan, Sindh, Kashmir, Islamabad, Upper, and Central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Flooding has been reported to be quite dangerous in various sections of the country. (EU’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian aid ECHO, July 6, 2022)
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), as of 5 July, 77 persons had died in regions and provinces, most of them were in Balochistan (39 deaths) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (17 fatalities), three others were still missing, and 85 had been wounded. Nearly 600 dwellings have been destroyed, as have five bridges and routes. National authorities are assisting the most vulnerable people. (ECHO, July 7, 2022)
The summer monsoon continued to wreak havoc on various regions of Pakistan, generating floods, torrential rains, and other extreme storm occurrences, as well as a rise in humanitarian needs.
As stated by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), as of July 11, up to 147 casualties were recorded throughout provinces, the majority of which occurred in Balochistan (63 fatalities), Sindh (26), and Punjab (23), with 160 people wounded. Over one thousand residences have been destroyed or damaged as well as five bridges and route passages have really been disrupted. National authorities are assisting the most vulnerable people. (ECHO, July 11, 2022)
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), as of July 18, up to 238 fatalities had been confirmed throughout provinces, the majority of which were in Balochistan (75 fatalities), Punjab (55), and Sindh (48), with 187 people injured. Almost 3,400 houses have been damaged, as well as 22 bridges and 11.5 km of roads.
Balochistan’s provincial disaster management authority has declared an emergency following flash floods and torrential rainfall in the Quetta and Pishin districts.
According to preliminary estimates, at least 150,000 people require emergency aid, 30,000 people in Balochistan have already been heavily affected, and 400 families have been left homeless. (ECHO, July 19, 2022)
Pakistan has received 60 percent of usual monsoon rains within only 3 weeks since its season began. Heavy rains have resulted in urban and flash floods, landslides, and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) across Pakistan, particularly affecting Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh Provinces.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported on July 25 that the floods had caused in 312 deaths (including 121 children and 56 women) and 300 injuries since July 1. More than 10,000 families have been affected, with Balochistan accounting for 60% of those affected. More than 5,000 housing units have been partially damaged, and another 3,200 have been destroyed. In addition, approximately 800 schools (600 in Balochistan alone), 50 bridges, and 616 kilometers of road were damaged.
According to initial assessments in Balochistan, at least 150,000 people require humanitarian assistance 30,000 people have been severely affected, and 400 families have been displaced. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority had declared 18 out of a total of 26 districts in Balochistan as calamity-hit areas. (OCHA, 25 Jul 2022)
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 357 individuals died throughout provinces as of July 28, the majority of whom were in Balochistan (106 deaths), more than 400 were injured, and around 23,800 houses were destroyed. Flood and flash flood warnings have been declared for metropolitan parts of northern Pakistan, including Islamabad and Peshawar. (ECHO, July 29, 2022)
The monsoon season threatens to wreak havoc on various regions in Pakistan, generating floods, landslides, and other severe weather-related catastrophes, with a rising magnitude of economic damage.
As of 1 August, 478 persons were killed throughout provinces, most of them were in Balochistan (136 fatalities)., according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) 536 individuals were injured and over 36,400 homes were destroyed, while over 24,000 livestock were lost and over 950 kilometers of road have been affected (ECHO, August 2, 2022).
Report By: Muhammad Yousuf
(Student of Environmental Sciences at University of Balochistan, Quetta)