Pakistan: Monsoon 2024 Flash Update #1 - Latest Monsoon Developments and Response Efforts, As of 01 August 2024

HIGHLIGHTS

  • 108 people died, 216 people were injured, and over 550 houses were damaged across Pakistan by monsoon rains and flash floods between 1 July and 1 August 2024.
  • Heavy floods on 29-30 July 2024 in the Reshun and Madaklusht Valleys in District Chitral have caused significant damage to ongoing flood protection schemes, roads, and adjacent villages. The impact of the boulder flow has necessitated an urgent request for emergency funds to address the damages and undertake essential recovery operations.
  • The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted more rains from 1-6 August with an advisory to remain on "ALERT" as heavy rainfall may cause further flooding.

SITUATIONAL UPDATE

According to NDMA reports, heavy rainfall between 1 July and 1 August led to flash floods, causing widespread devastation. Key impacts include:

  • Overall Impact:
    • 108 deaths (33 men, 20 women, 55 children)
    • 216 injuries (81 men, 55 women, 80 children)
    • Damage to over 550 houses
    • Extensive damage to bridges, roads, and social infrastructure, disrupting traffic on national highways in KP and Kashmir.
  • KP and Kashmir:
    • Significant damage to infrastructure and disruption of traffic.
    • Specific districts affected: Lower Chitral, Upper Chitral, Mansehra, Swat, Karak, and Bannu.
  • Punjab:
    • 39 fatalities (8 men, 11 women, 20 children)
    • 113 injuries (41 men, 33 women, 39 children)
    • Damage to over 61 houses
    • Record rainfall in Lahore (337 mm) and Gujranwala (108 mm), leading to urban flooding, electricity suspension, road closures, and submerged hospitals and low-lying areas.
    • Other affected districts: Vehari, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Layyah, and Gujranwala.
  • Sindh:
    • 22 deaths (8 men, 1 woman, 13 children)
    • 3 injuries (all men)
    • Damage to 13 houses.
  • Balochistan:
    • 3 deaths (all children)
    • 7 injuries (all children)
    • Damage to 5 houses.

COORDINATION AND RESPONSE

Recent heavy floods on 29-30 July 2024 in the Reshun and Madaklusht Valleys in District Chitral have caused significant damage to ongoing flood protection schemes, roads, and adjacent villages. UNDP Pakistan, under the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF-II) Project supported by the Green Climate Fund, is responding to address the damages occurred and enhancing the climate resilience of communities in 16 valleys of Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and 8 valleys of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

Provincial and district authorities (1122) are addressing urgent needs with existing resources and have not requested international assistance.

The Agha Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) has provided tents and non-food items to families in the Upper Chitral district.

Humanitarian actors are working closely with the Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), the provincial Emergency Working Group (EWG), and humanitarian organizations to coordinate relief efforts in the affected areas.

WEATHER FORECAST

According to projections from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), torrential monsoon rains are predicated across the country from 1 August to 6 August with occasional gaps. These rains may generate flash flooding in local nullahs/streams and landslides may cause road closures in vulnerable hilly areas.
The PMD issued an advisory to concerned authorities to remain "ALERT" and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation.