Earthquake and Flash Flood response by ACT members in Pakistan

General update

Monsoon rains have brought about a new crisis in the earthquake-affected zone of Pakistan, claiming lives and displacing people. The death toll resulting from torrential rains and floods has increased to 14, with many people still reported as missing. Six people of two families died in Jabouri village of Siran valley when their houses were swept away by floodwaters.

Gul Dehri Stream near Garhi Habibullah district of Mansehra flooded following a spell of heavy rain, blocking the flow of the Kunhar River. The river diverted, causing devastation along its course, washing out the village of Gul Dehri, and flooding the road between Garhi Habibullah and Muzaffarabad.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department reported that more rains with isolated heavy falls are expected. The District Police Officer (DPO) in Mansehra, North Western Frontier Province (NWFP) reports that a control room has been set up to monitor the situation and to assist in the evacuation of affected people to safer ground. The sector commander for the earthquake relief centre in Balakot, who is also in charge of the rescue operation at Shohal Najaf, has said that the people affected by rains and flood will be relocated to a tent village in Jaaba village, which can accommodate some 600 people. Giving details of the rescue operation, he said that main roads, as well as link roads are being cleared, with equipment from the army’s engineering unit. A temporary bridge has been to support light traffic erected at Ghanool, in the district of Mansehra.

CWS/NCA response

Update on response to flash floods

The CWS/NCA emergency teams took immediate steps to respond to the grave situation in Gul Dehri caused by the flash floods and heavy downpour. On the first day of the flooding, the teams conducted rapid assessments and documented the extent of the damage caused. Survivors were safely evacuated to prevent them from being washed away by the strong currents of water that wiped up shelters, livestock, and standing crops in the area. A total of 250 families was hit very hard by the floods, and was in need of immediate assistance.

The team worked in collaboration with the Nazim of Balakot and army personnel in Ghari Habibullah to set up distribution points for relief items. Blankets (250) and plastic sheeting (250) were dispatched to the relief camp, which had been set up by the army, to be distributed among the survivors of the flash flood in Ghari Habibullah.

By the second day, the teams discovered that 'spontaneous' camps had sprung up. In one such camp, a rapid needs assessment resulted in 19 families being identified with no blankets or plastic sheeting to protect them from the heavy and continuous rainfall. The teams provided them with 38 plastic sheets and 31 blankets. Some families were accommodated in the Kashtara camp. There is still a need for food and shelter. People are afraid that there may be more floods.

Regular Activities

Psychosocial programme

The team met with one female earthquake survivor in near the villages of Mangli and Billian, in Balakot district. She told how her mother-in-law's remains were found in the rubble 100 days after the earthquake. Her eight-year-old daughter, Janeeta Misal, is still traumatised from her experiences. She was one of two in her class at school who survived the earthquake, and had been buried under the rubble for hours, before managing to pull her self out. Her memories of the day are painful. Her most prized possession is her science book, which contains beautiful pictures of animals and birds.

Water and Sanitation

The Water and Sanitation team's assessment visits to Balakot were put on hold because of the heavy rainfall. In Battagram, the repair of water supply schemes in the area continues. The hygiene promotion team held meetings with community members to discuss hygiene conditions in six villages of Muza Dharian, in Battagram district. An action plan for Muza Dharian has also been prepared.

Livelihood programme

The Livelihood team along with the Recovery Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) team made several assessment visits to five villages: Jambera, Rashang, Serbanjar, Gangwal and Gaunter in Battagram district. During the visit they gathered information and statistics related to loss of life, livestock losses, property loss and other damage the villagers suffered because of the earthquake. This information will form the basis of ongoing implementation of programs.