pakistan floods 2022

From June to October 2022, Pakistan experienced devastating floods that resulted in 1,700 deaths and an estimated US$40 billion in damage. It was declared a state of emergency on August 25, 2022, making it the deadliest and one of the costliest natural disasters in the country's history.

Background (Causes)

  • Immediate Causes: Heavier than usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers, both exacerbated by climate change.

  • Contributing Factors:

    • Indian Ocean Warming: The Indian Ocean, one of the fastest-warming oceans, contributes to increased monsoon rainfall due to rising sea surface temperatures.

    • Heat Waves: Southern Pakistan experienced record-setting back-to-back heat waves in May and June, which created a strong thermal low leading to heavier rains and triggered glacial flooding in Gilgit-Baltistan.

    • Climate Change Vulnerability: Pakistan, contributing less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is highly vulnerable to climate change. A study suggests global heating made the floods up to 50% worse.

    • Deforestation: Local deforestation in Pakistan also worsened the floods.

Impact

  • Casualties: 1,700 people died and 13,000 were injured.

  • Displacement & Housing: Over 2.1 million people were left homeless; 900,000 houses were destroyed, and 1,3 million were damaged.

  • Affected Population: 33 million people were affected.

  • Agriculture & Livestock: over 1 million livestock were killed, and vast agricultural fields were devastated (e.g., 6,000 km2^2 in Sindh and 7,200 km2^2 in Punjab).

  • Infrastructure: 13,000 km of roads and 440 bridges were destroyed, impeding access. Over 22,000 schools were damaged or destroyed.

  • Economic Loss: estimated total damage at US$40 billion.

  • Health Crisis: Lack of clean drinking water led to increased waterborne diseases (diarrhea, cholera, dengue, malaria) and skin infections.

  • In Sindh alone, 2.3 million patients were treated for malaria since July, with a peak of 90,000 diarrhea cases in a single day.

Response (Aid Attempts)

National

  • Government Initiatives: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spearheaded relief, securing $500 million in pledges. The government allocated $170 million (through the Benazir Income Support Programme)

  • Donations: Army officers, federal cabinet members, and senators donated one-month salaries. PTCL Group contributed (US$8 million). Imran Khan's telethon raised (US$22.5 million).

  • Other Efforts: Pakistani embassies in China and Turkey set up fundraisers. Mehraz provided free low-cost bamboo housing designs for flood-resilient construction.

  • Criticism: The government faced accusations of inaction and hoarding aid, leading to looting incidents and halting of NGO operations. Protests against lack of aid resulted in terrorism charges against some flood-affected people in Sukkur.

International

International Organizations

  • World Bank: Allocated $370 million in relief aid and allowed $2 billion from current projects to be reallocated.

  • United Nations: Allocated $3 million from CERF and appealed for $160 million in emergency funds.

  • World Health Organization (WHO): Allocated $10 million for emergency health relief.

  • International Rescue Committee: Deployed emergency response teams.