Islamabad: As of August 19, 2024, Pakistan faces severe challenges with the ongoing monsoon season causing extensive displacement and damage across several provinces. The latest updates highlight a grim picture of the humanitarian situation, with thousands displaced, significant agricultural damage, and ongoing emergency responses in critical areas.

According to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Sanghar district in Sindh province has seen 7,535 people displaced, seeking refuge either with relatives or in a relief camp established by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). The situation is aggravated in Balochistan, where nine districts have been officially declared calamity-hit by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

The flood has wreaked havoc on agriculture, with nearly 10,000 acres of crops damaged in Sindh alone. Overall, the monsoon has led to 196 fatalities nationwide, with 363 injuries and considerable infrastructural damage from July 1 to August 18.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), emergencies were declared in both upper and lower Chitral districts due to significant impacts from the rainfall and ensuing floods. The PDMA of KP reported the loss of 64 lives, injuries to 48 individuals, and extensive property and livestock losses.

In Balochistan, the situation remains dire with heavy rainfall from July 20 to August 17 resulting in 15 deaths and 10 injuries, affecting over 2,800 individuals and damaging 412 houses. The PDMA is actively managing evacuations in flood-affected areas such as Sohabt Pur and Lasbella District.

Efforts to manage the crisis are comprehensive, involving prepositioned supplies and ongoing assessments in affected regions. However, tribal clashes in Sindh have complicated the response efforts, delaying necessary humanitarian assessments and aid distributions.

The situation in Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, is also concerning, with a medium-level flood risk prompting proactive evacuations of residents and livestock by local authorities.

This season’s monsoon has not only highlighted the acute immediate impacts of such natural disasters but also underscored the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and resilience measures across Pakistan to mitigate future risks.