GAP analysis of existing flood policies of Pakistan

Group Members:

Umer Shahid

Zain Ahmed

Haider Sikandar

Faizan Sabir

Zohaib Naseer

Muhammad Daniyal Abdullah

Muhammad Arsalan

Submitted to: Madam Saima

Submission Date:

BS-Geophysics 2-A

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Contents

Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………3

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………..4

Definition of Flood ……………………………………………………………………..4

Causes of Floods in Pakistan…………………………………………………………….5

Types of Floods in Pakistan……………………………………………………………..6

History of Floods in Pakistan……………………………………………………………7

Gap analysis 2000-10 flood damages.……………………………..……………………8

Vision 2025 next 10 year plan…………………………………………………………..9

Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………...14

References………………………………………………………………………………14

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Abstract:

Pakistan is a country which have different types of landforms, all four seasons and rivers.

Pakistan have become victim of floods a number of times. These floods has affected the

infrastructure and economy of Pakistan very badly. Millions of people has lost their lives and

homes and billions worth of property has been destroyed. This report contains the causes due

to which floods are created, types of floods, history of all major floods which has affected

our country so far and the vision of government of Pakistan to prevent these natural hazards.

Many steps has been taken by government of Pakistan to reduce the effects of floods and

Government has planned a vision for next 10 years.

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Introduction:

The word “flood” is come from an old English word “flod” which means the flow or to fill.

Flood is a natural hazard which occurs when water comes out from its reservoir or its path, along

which it flows, due to its excess. It can be caused by natural processes as well as human

activities. The easiest illustration of flood is when we fill a bucket with water and then add more

water in it then the water will start to come out of the bucket. Pakistan has become the victim of

flood many times and it has caused millions of deaths and billions worth of destruction.

Although natural hazards cannot be stopped but its destruction can be reduced by taking safety

precautions and measurements.

Definition:

There are many definitions of flood but the two which are widely used are following:

“The over flow of water from the river or lake when it increases from its holding capacity”

OR

“The covering of normally dry land by water that has escaped or been released from the

normal confines of: lake, river, reservoir, canal, dam or other natural watercourse, whether or

not altered or modified”

The pictures below show the areas which have become victims of flood.

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There is a big confusion in people about the difference between flood and tsunami. Many people

think that both are same but the main difference between flood and tsunami is that flood occurs

on land, caused by the over flow water from the lakes and its reservoirs, and tsunami occurs in

ocean or sea caused by the tectonic activity.

Causes of Floods in Pakistan:

Flood can be caused by a number of factors. In Pakistan flood usually occurs in monsoon

seasons due to heavy rainfalls. Following are the factors which produces floods:

Heavy Rainfalls:

Flooding in rivers is generally caused by heavy rainfall in the catchments during the Monsoon

season in Pakistan. Floods can be caused by the quick heavy rainfalls or continuous slow

rainfalls which occurs for days.

Strong Winds:

Sea water can be carried by massive winds and hurricanes onto the dry coastal lands causing

flood. It does not occur very much but if do then occurs in coastal areas like Karachi.

Dam Breakage:

Dam is a manmade block to hold water in it. When the water level exceeds from the holding

capacity of dam then the floods occurs. It can also occur when the base level of dam is raised due

to sediments deposits and decrease its holding capacity.

Poor Sanitation and Unplanned Constructions:

Pakistan has very poor sanitation system so whenever heavy rainfalls occurs water does not

drains from roads causing flash floods. Unplanned construction is also a factor due to which

floods occur because buildings and other societies are constructed along the pathways of water

bodies. So even a small flood occurs it cause large damage to property and human lives.

Rise in Basin Level:

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Water in streams carry sediments which settle down when velocity of water decreases which

results in rise of basin level, so less water will be stored in basin, ultimately causing flood. Basin

level should be kept lower in order to avoid floods.

Ice and Snow melting:

Due to the global warming the glaciers are melting and aiding water into the stream and

becoming a causes of flood. Mountainous areas remain covered by snow in winter season but in

summer it starts melting and aids water into stream channel.

Types of floods in Pakistan:Floods are divided into two categories

(1) According to Location

(2) According to Duration

According to Location:

Coastal Flooding:

Coastal flood occurs in areas that lie on the coast of a sea, ocean, or other large body of open

water. It is typically the result of extreme tidal conditions caused by severe weather. Storm surge

produced when high winds from hurricanes and other storms push water onshore overwhelming

low-lying areas. The south-eastern Sindh and the Makran coast usually become victim of this

type of flood.

Arroyos Flooding:

Arroyo are dry rivers and when heavy rainfall occurs, these rivers flood. They usually remain dry

whole year but in raining season they are filled with water. It can also be caused when snow

melts aiding large amount of water in these dry rivers.

River Floods:

When heavy rain occurs, rivers are sometimes fed more water than they can hold, causing it to

flood areas surrounding the river. It can also be caused by heavy snow melt and ice jams. The

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damage from a river flood can be widespread as the overflow affects smaller rivers downstream,

often causing dams and dikes to break and swamp nearby areas.

Urban Floods

When metropolitan areas experience heavy rainfall, unless the city has a good drainage system,

the streets will flood due to the lack of absorption materials such as trees and grass. Urban

floods occur in the major cities of Pakistan, they are also common in the monsoon season.

According to Duration

Flash floods:Flash or seasonal floods are common in the northern areas of Pakistan and cause great loss of life

there. This kind occurs within a very short time (2-6 hours, and sometimes within minutes) and is

usually as a result of heavy rain, dam break or snow melt. Flash flooding occurs when soil

absorption, runoff or drainage cannot adequately disperse intense rainfall, and is usually caused

by slow-moving thunderstorms. Flash floods are generally defined as developing in six hours or

less from rainfall to the onset of flooding. Most dangerous because they are spontaneous and

there is no time to take safety precautions.

Slow-Onset Floods:

This kind is usually as a result of water bodies over flooding their banks. They tend to develop

slowly and can last for days and weeks. They usually spread over many kilometers and occur

more in flood plains (fields prone to floods in a low-lying areas). The effect of this kind of floods

on people is more likely to be due to disease, malnutrition or snakebites. Mostly damages

agriculture and roads. In Pakistan they occurs in monsoon season due to heavy rainfalls and

snow melting on mountainous areas.

Rapid-Onset Floods:

Similar to flash flood but takes slightly longer to develop and the flood can last for a day or two

only. It is also very destructive, but does not usually surprise people like Flash floods. They

occurs in areas which are near the rivers and dams, caused when dam open water due to its filled

capacity.

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History of Floods in Pakistan:

Pakistan has experienced a lot of flooding especially during the monsoon season, Pakistan has

become victim of 9 major flooding since 1947.The major floods of Pakistan were in 1955, 1970,

1988, 1992, 1994, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012. These floods has caused destruction in the

country taking lives of millions of people and leaving millions homeless. However the latest

flood in 2010 was the devastating which damage the infrastructure and economy of Pakistan.

From 4 to 6 October 1955, heavy rainfalls in Dalhousie, Sialkot, Ujh and Basantar rivers,

almost the entire catchment area of the Ravi River caused flood. These Monsoon rains

killed an estimated 2,900 people across the country. Punjab Province, including the city

of Lahore, was among the worst hit when the River Ravi flooded. Over 100,000 homes

were destroyed, leaving around 900,000 people homeless.

The 1992 monsoon caused widespread rain on the catchments of the Indus, Jhelum, and

Chenab rivers. The continuous 5-day rainfall during 7-11 September was the highest in

the history in the same period. The rainfall led to flooding in the Chenab, Jhelum and

Indus River. The breaching of flood protection levees (FPLs) exposed large areas to the

ravages of the flood, which inundated 13,000 villages, damaged 960,000 houses, affected

4.8 million people, and killed more than 1,000 (World Bank 1996). The Government of

Pakistan estimated the damage at about $1.4 billion, including $0.5 billion worth of

damage to public infrastructure. The hardest hit were the agriculture and communication

sectors, for which the cost of flood damage repair was estimated at a total of $396 million

Widespread rains from July to September in 1994 caused flooding in the Indus and Sutlej

rivers. The Government’s damage assessment reported that, as of 21st September, the

floods had killed 386 people, damaged 557,000 houses, and resulted in the loss of 14,000

cattle and of about 700,000 ha of crops.

In 2003, Sindh province was badly affected when above normal monsoon rainfall caused

flooding in the province; urban flooding also hit Karachi where two days of rainfall of

284.5 millimeters (11.20 in) created havoc in the city, while Thatta district was the worst

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hit where 404 millimeters (15.9 in) rainfall caused flash floods in the district. At least 484

people died and some 4,476 villages in the province were affected

In 2007, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and coastal Balochistan were badly affected due to

monsoon rainfall. Sindh and coastal Balochistan were affected by Cyclone Yemyin in

June and then torrential rains in July and August, while Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was

affected by melting glaciers and heavy rainfall in July and August. At least 130 people

died and 2,000 were displaced in Khyber-Pakhtunkwain in July and 22 people died in

August, while 815 people died in Balochistan and Sindh due to flash floods.

In 2009 Karachi faced the flood due to heavy rainfall. In almost thirty years it was first

time that the flood was a little destructive killing 26 people and took injury rate to almost

150 in counting. Several were killed due to the collapsing of the roof top and some were

killed by the falling of the loose debris from the nearby mountains. Commercial markets

were waterlogged and hundreds of vehicles were trapped during the flood. Meteorology

departments recorded the rain to be of 18 mm. This flood lasted for almost one month.

This flood began in late July 2010, resulting from heavy monsoon rains in the Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and, Balochistan regions of Pakistan, which affected the

Indus River basin. Approximately one-fifth of Pakistan's total land area was underwater,

approximately 796,095 square kilometers (307,374 sq. mi), directly affecting about 20

million people, mostly by destruction of property, livelihood and infrastructure, with a

death toll of close to 2,000. The World Health Organization reported that ten million

people were forced to drink unsafe water. The Pakistani economy was harmed by

extensive damage to infrastructure and crops. Damage to structures was estimated to

exceed US$4 billion, and wheat crop damages were estimated to be over US$500 million.

Total economic impact may have been as much as US$43 billion.

In September 2011, at least 361 people were killed, some 5.3 million people and 1.2

million homes affected as well 1.7 million acres of land was destroyed when massive

floods swept across the province of Sindh as a result of monsoon rains

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In September 2012, more than 100 people died, and thousands of homes destroyed, with

thousands of acres of arable land affected when intense rainfall battered Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa, Southern Punjab and Upper Sindh. As a result of monsoon rains.

In August 2013, Pakistan and parts of eastern Afghanistan experienced unusually heavy

rainfall that caused widespread flash flooding. In Pakistan more than 180 died and 66,000

people were affected by the rain and resulting floods. Many of the deaths were the result

of collapsed houses or by electrocution from downed power lines. In Afghanistan more

than 90 deaths were reported.

In September 2014 Due to massive rain in Jammu and Kashmir as well as Azad Jammu

and Kashmir and in Punjab Constituted flood situation in River Chenab and River

Jhelum. By September 24, about 280 people in Pakistan had died due to the floods.

GAP Analysis on 2000-10 flood Policies:

Pakistan is vulnerable to floods and every year in monsoon season there is threat of floods.

Pakistan has become victim of floods many times and been affected badly by it. Pakistan has lost

many lives and property due destruction caused by floods. In the last decade Pakistan has been

affected seriously by consistent floods. Government of Pakistan has make many policies

regarding the floods, how to reduce flood’s effect, to rehabilitate the people and to build

destroyed infrastructure again. It is quite challenging for Government of Pakistan to act on these

policies because it is a very big task for them.

Following policies were made in 2000-10 by government of Pakistan:

Create a platform that give meteorological and flood information, improve flood

forecasting and warning system so that the people and different disaster managing

companies can use this data.

To rehabilitate all the affected people by giving them proper shelter, giving them

financial aid, proper treatments, food, nutrition and education, giving them job

opportunities and all other basic needs.

To attenuate flood peaks, construct additional multi-purpose storages (including flood

control) by building levees, dams and modify the irrigation system so that water can be

utilized properly and in efficient manner.

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Improve the sanitation system not only to avoid floods but also to reduce the disease

caused by flood.

Solve water distribution issues with India to avoid flood conditions in both countries.

Continue with the construction of additional flood protection facilities

Creation of public awareness education on flood related intervention

Support a special study to explore various methodologies such as dredging, flushing

and/or removal of accumulated sediment from river beds, particularly in the lower

reaches of Indus, to check the river levels from rising further

Promote and support research for better understanding of the monsoon systems

Strengthen Pakistan Metrological Department through modern weather forecasting

equipment

Review the design and maintenance standards of existing flood protection structures, and

make improvement where necessary to bring them to the level of functional capability

and reliability

Improvement of design and standards of flood protection interventions

Establish and promote flood zoning and enforce appropriate land use by avoiding growth

of vulnerable developments in flood-hazard areas.

Develop River Laws to protect waterways and flood plains from encroachment, misuse

etc.

Although many flood policies were made in year 2000-10 by Government of Pakistan, but they

did not succeeded in implementing these policies, and in result of this Pakistan again was

affected by floods in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. There were a number of issues in implementing

these policies but the incompetent leadership was mainly responsible for this. Federal Flood

Commission (FFC) was established in 1976, for flood protection projects but it failed due to

corruption. All the work they done was either improper or only existed on papers. Other

organizations which were also responsible for the implementation of flood policies started to

blame each other for the failure. Political issues and corruption on higher level also became

reasons for failure of these policies. Financing these policies was also an issue because the

economy of Pakistan was not healthy enough. Government of Pakistan had no other option but to

take loans from World Bank and other developing organizations. Climate changing in last few

years has also created a problem because due to global warming glaciers are melting and adding

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water in its channels. Pakistan also made a policy to reduce the Carbon Dioxide emission in

atmosphere, although Pakistan is responsible for only a small fraction of CO2 emission globally.

Improper land use, poor urban infrastructure and haphazard settlement are visible reasons that

converted a weather event into a disaster. These illegal and unplanned constructions should be

stopped and alternatives should be provided by Government of Pakistan otherwise they will

remain a main cause in destruction caused by floods. Deforestation is also a cause in floods

because tree stop soil from eroding. There are number of Forrest mafias which are cutting trees

illegally and are not caught for doing such criminal activities. Government of Pakistan has

learned lessons from the past and now has made a vision for the next 10 years, which focus on

the flood policies. We just have wait to see if the government succeed in implementing those

policies because in the past they are unable to implement.

Vision 2025:Conflicts across competing water uses and users are growing every day. Access to an adequate

supply of water for the agriculture, industry and domestic sectors is one of the priorities of the

Vision 2025. The Plan provides a roadmap to provide clean and judicious amount of water to all

sectors and stakeholders. In this regard, the federal and provincial governments will leave no

stone unturned to enhance water storages and conservation, including construction of small,

medium and large dams. A comprehensive set of strategies encompasses the following:

Water Storage

Water Conservation

Flood Management

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

Water Governance

Water Pollution

Knowledge-based interventions:

The following steps will be taken:

An operational mathematical model of the Indus Basin will be prepared for an efficient

management of the water resources, taking into account the factor of climate change.

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Efficient and effective hydro-meteorological data dissemination systems will be put in

place.

Nationwide surveys will be undertaken for assessment of the groundwater, including its

quality, quantity, withdrawal and recharge potential.

Conflict resolution mechanism will be strengthened to manage disputes and ensure

equitable and fair sharing of water.

Economic instruments will be designed using value and prices for efficiency and equity.

It will improve allocative and technical efficiency for sustainable social and economic

development.

Information management and exchange to improve knowledge for better water

management will be done.

Participatory assets management will be extended.

Steps will be taken for reducing the unaccounted and non-revenue water.

Trans-boundary water issues:

The following steps will be taken during the Plan period:

Necessary measures will be intensified for resolving the trans-boundary water issues with

India and for implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (1960) in letter and spirit,

including capacity-building of institutions.

Consultations on other trans-boundary issues will be initiated, such as pollution,

untreated effluent being passed down to Pakistan from India.

Since signing of the Indus Waters Treaty, India has developed numerous storage projects

on three Eastern Rivers of Ravi, Sutlej and Beas, and consequently, during the dry

season, there is almost zero flow in these rivers. Minimal environmental flows are

required to protect the river biodiversity.

India is over-mining the aquifer with the result that groundwater in Western Punjab is

also being affected. This concern will also be pursued and more authentic data will be

collected on this account.

The Kabul River brings water into the Indus Basin. Construction of projects on the River

and its tributaries can have a negative impact on Pakistan's already scarce water

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resources, and violate its historic and lower riparian water rights. Deliberation will be

made to pre-empt and protect these inflows.

Capacity-building process of the related institutions will be undertaken to effectively

address the trans-boundary waters.

Water infrastructure and financing:

Both traditional and innovative modes of financing are required to meet the large deficit of

deferred maintenance and capital investment, while higher investments are also necessary for the

future programmes. The allocation in the PSDP for dealing with this has increased considerably

over the years. Since water-related infrastructure is one of the primary responsibilities of the

federal government, the total allocations for this will be increased to Rs247.37 billion in the Plan.

Suitable projects will be prepared and offered to private investment through mechanisms, such as

the Build Operate Transfer (BOT), Build Own Operate (BOO), Build Own Operate and Transfer

(BOOT). Direct investment in the form of loans as well as equity will be promoted and

establishment of the Special Purpose Vehicles will be encouraged to attract financing through

bonds and debentures. Since water is an important sector, it is also hoped that additional funds

will be made available by the multilateral banks, international development agencies and

bilateral donors. Levying of additional charges on consumers to repay capital investment – on

the pattern of the Neelum-Jehlum Hydropower project – will be replicated in other projects.

Innovative financing options will be explored for the Diamer-Bhasha Dam and other similar

projects. The Public-Private Partnerships will be pursued as the preferred mode of financing.

Federal Programme:

The water sector investments have following dimensions:

1. Investment to keep the system operative

2. Investment to keep the system sustainable

3. Investment to keep providing basic human needs, that is, Food, Fiber and Energy

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However, the water sector investment has to take into account future needs as the system can

neither be built in pieces nor in a given short time, for example, the Bash Dam Project gestation

period is over ten years including six to seven years of construction period. It is estimated that

the financing requirement is to the tune of Rs249.37 billion in the next five years.

Innovative Approach:

In order to meet challenges of the growing water demands of the nation, a number of innovative

initiatives will be undertaken. However, a systematic analysis is needed to be made to ensure the

success of these innovative schemes.

Policies Regarding Flood Control:

There are certain steps that are taken by the Pakistani government to cope with this natural

calamity:

The government is focused on planting more trees in the areas where the floods were

most likely to hit or on the sides of rivers.

The building of small damns is an effective way of not only saving water but also

preventing floods to some extent.

The government is trying to build diversion canals so when the rivers overflow the do not

get into towns, cities and villages but got to these canals and flood-ways.

The first thing Pakistani government is trying to do is coping with the relentless force of

nature to have an effective disaster management cell in all the districts specially the areas

that are most likely to be hit by floods.

The government is working very closely with the meteorology department so the extent

of severity of rains and floods are being estimated beforehand.

The government is also educating people on how important covered drainage system is

and how it can prevent the floods.

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Educating people about causes of floods is very important. Government is holding

seminars and lectures on how this natural disaster can be averted by planting trees and

keeping the drainage system clean.

The availability of medicine and food is being assured beforehand in the areas where

there was a threat of flood especially in far-flung areas to minimize the loss of human

life.

As the flooding in the season of monsoon is a predictable thing so there is a

comprehensive recovery plan in advance.

The building of small damns is an effective way of not only saving water but also

preventing floods to some extent.

The floods maybe a natural catastrophe but that does not mean that there are not ways where it

can be minimized if not stopped completely. According to an estimate made by Ministry of

National Food Security and Research, Finance, and some economic experts the overall loss that

Pakistan’s economy suffered during the floods of 2014 could be about 14-16 million USD.

Such huge loss, just in economic sector failed to motivate the government to take any significant

steps to prevent the same happening in 2015 but sadly that is not the case. Hopefully the

Government has realized the importance of planning and is taking steps to prevent more loss of

human life and property.

Conclusion:

Floods has affected the economy of Pakistan very badly. Although it is a natural hazard and

cannot be stopped but different precautions can be taken to reduce the effect of the hazards.

Pakistan has become victim of floods many time and lost a lot of lives and property. In the past

decade Government of Pakistan failed to implement the policies regarding floods which resulted

in form of floods again. Now Government of Pakistan is taking aggressive steps to reduce the

effect of these natural calamities. Pakistan has to build dams in order to save the water and to

reduce the floods effect.

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References:

Pakistan vision 2025

www.wikipedia.com

http://tribune.com.pk/story/39915/floods-in-pakistan--institutional-failures/

http://potdrum.com/special-report/government-failure-in-controlling-floods-in-pakistan

http://www.dawn.com/news/1130447

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