Flood prone communities left at mercy of natural hazards

Islamabad:Responding to a survey, conducted by Pattan-Coalition 38 survey in flood-affected riverine areas, majority of the respondents said that the provincial governments have not involved them in any preparedness activity to reduce potential flood risks. Most of the respondents claimed that they have not been consulted in any decision-making, which is a violation of the National Disaster Management Act 2010.

With monsoon season already begun in the country, recent forecasts of the Meteorological Department and Flood Forecast Division has indicated a likelihood of above-average rainfall across the country, particularly in the northern regions, which will significantly increase the risk of riverine flooding, landsliding etc. Keeping in view, unprecedented flood disasters in recent past and climate induced changes, Patan-Coalition 38 conducted survey with 275 individuals (95 women and 180 men) across 62 disaster-prone locations of 19 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Islamabad to gauge local opinions on flood preparedness.

The survey results show that claims by NDMA, PDMAs, and the Federal Flood Commission regarding flood preparedness appear to be largely limited to mere statements and advertisements, with no tangible actions being taken, and no committees comprising local residents have been formed to cope with potential flood risks.

The survey shows that in G-7/2 slum area of Islamabad, a stream runs through, affecting hundreds of households each year during the rainy season. When asked about flood preparedness, the residents reported that no measures (such as stream cleaning) have been undertaken by the CDA, nor has any committee comprising local individuals been formed.

Pattan-Coalition 38 survey team also interviewed residents living along the Nullah Leh in Rawalpindi, specifically in the Gulistan Abad and Azim Abad neighbourhoods. According to the respondents, there has been no cleanup of the Nullah Leh by the government, resulting in the nullah being filled with waste and weeds, obstructing the water flow. Residents stated that no committee exists to address flood risks, nor has any NGO contacted them.

The survey collected opinions from 34 communities in 8 districts of Punjab (Jhang, Sargodha, Bhakkar, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Rajanpur), 22 locations in 5 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Mansehra, Mardan, Bajaur, Malakand, and Dera Ismail Khan), and 5 locations in 3 districts of Sindh (Dadu, Qambar Shahdadkot, and Thatta). About 75% of respondents reported being affected by river floods, 15% by hill torrents, 1% by landslides, 4% by both river floods and hill torrents, and 5% by both river floods and landslides.

As many as 87% respondents of the survey reported that local people have not been approached or consulted by officials nor any committees have been formed to cope with flood disaster, while only 11% said committees existed but have not been active. Additionally, 59% indicated their village experiences flooding every year, leading to significant financial losses. Furthermore, 34% reported their village has been affected by flooding twice in the last 15 years.

An overwhelming 91% of the respondents stated that governments have not taken measures to cope with flood disaster, while only 7% appeared to believe that some actions were being implemented, such as early warnings and repairs of protective embankments. Additionally, 88% of the respondents also said that in their neighbourhood no NGOs were operating or helping communities should floods come.

The Patan Coalition 38 urged NDMA, PDMAs, and the Federal Flood Commission to take immediate action for flood preparedness. The Coalition suggested DDMAs not be limited to DC offices but must be activated in every district and at community level besides recommending establishment of local committees, ensuring community involvement in all flood preparedness, and improvement in early warning system, which must be in local languages and be accessible to women and differently able persons.