Devastating Floods in Pakistan

Recent floods occurred after heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan. More than 1200 people have been killed, thousands are rendered homeless and 1.6 million have been affected. Our team that returned back from Noshehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on 31st July, reported that recent flood is the worst natural disaster in that area since more than 275,000 people have still been stranded there. Many are compelled to stay at the roof tops of their homes due to the fear of another wave of water which has been released from Warsak dam. They are anxiously waiting to be evacuated. Today (1st August) was actually the first day of rescue and relief efforts. Three army helicopters and four small boats were used to evacuate the victims of floods. Those who left their homes during the torrential rains have also been waiting for help at higher places. The routine life has been distressed, enormously since there is no electricity, no clean drinking water or food items are available. Besides those who are trapped in the city have no access to communication too because telephone exchange is out of order and those who have cell phones are unable to recharge the batteries due to absence of electricity. Some people claimed to see dead bodies floating in the streets of flooded Noshehra. A resident of Noshehra named Ajmair Shah lost his daughter during the flood. Most of his belongings and household items has either been destroyed or swept off. He is living out in the open sky for last three days along with 19 other relatives.

Almost 200 families have been provided with temporary shelter at Government College of Technology. Many families narrate the same stories like Ajmair Shah. The philanthropists from the nearby cities like Islamabad, Attock and Rawalpindi started providing them with cooked food this evening for the first time. The majority of affected people have no utensils to obtain food so they used polythene bags. Whilst eating food they have been drinking contaminated flood water. There is an urgent need of Jerry Cans, Tents, Utensils, Mosquito Nets, Clothing and thin Blankets etc.

Besides, there are sick and traumatized children, men and women who need medical care. Since water borne diseases are going to be a major threat in next few days the medicines for Diarrhea, vomiting, fever, Malaria and skin infection etc are required urgently. Especially the Gastrointestinal diseases may cause a huge trouble.

Yesterday and today Pakistan Relief’s medical team treated patients and distributed blankets for the children as well. Another team of Pakistan Relief’s volunteers distributed 700 food packs that were donated by a restaurant owner of Rwalpindi. So far there is no access to the city but as soon as the flow and level of water will decrease we will attempt to get in to intervene. We have a few small
inflatable rafts but those are not suitable to cope with the aggressive current of Kabul River. The boats/Rafts with engines can be of great help to reach people in need.

We intend to set up a medical camp in the vicinity because there will be huge influx of sick people when water level will decrease. Local coordination hub has been established by Pakistan Army at Military College of Signals Risalpur which is just a couple of miles away from Noshehra. According to a Pakistan Army official, Col. Shahjehan, there was a fierce flood in the same area back in 1925 too but that was measured as 170,000 cusecs. This time it has been measured up to 300,000 cusecs.

There are reports of floods in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Kashmir as well.