Just-in-Time Lecture

/www.pitt.edu/~super

Pakistan Floods
July-August 2010
 Mission Statement
Pakistan

The Global Disaster Health Network

is designed to translate the best

possible scholarly information to

educators worldwide.
 Pakistan

What is the Disaster Supercourse?

What is a JIT lecture?

http://www.pitt.edu/~super1
 Lecture Highlights
Pakistan

• What is a flood?
• Pakistan country
• Pakistan health statistics before the flood
• Impacts of Pakistan floods 2010
• Causes of Pakistan floods 2010
• Response to Pakistan floods 2010
• Health needs of the floods affected communities
• How to protect ourselves from floods?
• Disaster risk reduction
 Pakistan Country
Pakistan

Source: http://geology.com/world/pakistan-satellite-image.shtml
 Pakistan Country
Pakistan
Capital: Islamabad Population (2010): 170,294,000

Largest city: Karachi Density: 211.8/ Km2

Official language(s): Urdu and GDP (PPP) (2010):

English Total: $451.972 billion
Per capita: $2,731
Regional languages: Punjabi,
Pashto, Sindhi, Seraiki and Balochi GDP (nominal):
Total: $177,901 billion
Demony:m Pakistani Per capita: $1,067

Government: Federal Gini (2005): 31.2 (Medium)

Parlimentary Republic
HDI (2007): 0.572 (Medium)
Total area: 803,940 Km2 (36th
world largest country) Currency: Pakistani Rupee (Rs.)

Source: Wikipedia
 Pakistan Health Statistics
Pakistan

Life expectancy at birth m/f (years): 62/63

Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003): 54/52

Probability of dying under five (per 1000 live births): 97

Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 218/194

1000 population):

Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2006): 51

Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 2.0

Source: World Health Statistics 2008 (Figures are for 2006 unless indicated)
 Floods
Pakistan

A flood is a temporary covering by

water of land not normally covered by
water

Some floods develop slowly, some

flood s happen during a very short
time

Floods are one of the most common hazards in the world

Floods trend and their intensity are increasing due to climate change
worldwide.
 Flash Floods
Pakistan

Flash floods can develop quickly, sometimes in just a few

minutes and without any visible signs of rain

The flash floods’ lead time in some part of the US is as short as

60 seconds and in west part of Golestan province, Iran, as 15
minutes

Is the most killer type of floods

 Floods can occurs:
Pakistan

Outside a river or stream, when a levee

is breached

When a dam breaks

In rivers, when flow exceeds the

capacity of the river channel

Damage to homes and businesses if

they are placed in flood plains of rivers
 Human Beings are at increasing risk of floods!
Pakistan

Human being likes to live next to water! No matter how the

areas are threatened by floods!

Of course, the human being has the experience to mitigate the risk of

floods in many areas. But most parts of the world do not know about

these experiences or do not have enough capacity to use them!

 Floods Adverse Effects
Pakistan
Primary effects
Physical damage - Can damage any type of structure, including bridges, cars,
buildings, sewer systems, roadways and canals

Casualties - People and livestock die due to drowning. It can also lead to
epidemics and waterborne diseases.

Secondary effects
Water supplies – Contamination of waters

Diseases - Unhygienic conditions and spread of water-borne disease

Crops and food supplies - Shortage of food crops can be caused due to loss of
entire harvest.

Trees - Non-tolerant species can die from suffocation.

Tertiary/long-term effects
Economic - Economic hardship, due to: temporary decline in tourism, rebuilding
costs, food shortage leading to price increase ,etc.
 World’s Deadliest Floods
Pakistan
Event Death
1931 China floods 2,500,000 - 3,700,000
1887 China Yellow River flood 900,000 - 2,000,000

1938 China Yellow River flood 500,000 - 700,000

1975 China
231,000
Banqiao Dam failure, result of Typhoon Nina
2004 Indonesia
230,000
Indian Ocean tsunami
1935 Yangtze river flood 145,000
1950 Netherland, St.Felix’s flood storm surge >100,000
1971 North Vietnam
100,000
Hanoi and Red River Delta flood
1911 China Yangtze river flood 100,000
 Flood DamagesPakistan
to Pakistan, July-August 2010,

by Affected Provinces

BALOCHISTAN KPK PUNJAB SINDH AJ&K GB G.Total

Deaths 24 1068 103 44 69 183 1491

Injured 98 1056 350 405 83 60 2052

Houses
19,619 179,874 500,000 271,699 6,472 2,820 980,484
Damaged
KPK: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
AJ&K: Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Source: Pakistan National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). http://ndma.gov.pk/flood-2010.html

 Comparison of Pakistan 2010 Floods Damages
withPakistan
other Major Disasters

NARGIS
PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE KATRINA
CYCLONE
FLOOD * PAKISTAN CYCLONE USA
MYANMAR
(August 2010) (Oct 2005) (Aug 2005)
(May 2008)
Population Affected 14,571,885 3,500,000 500,000 2,420,000
Area Affected
132,000, 30,000 23,500
(Sq Km)
Deaths 1,313 73,338 1,836 84,537
Injured 1,588 128,309 19,359
Household
722,508 600,152 450,000
Damaged
Est. Economic
damage 5,200 125,000 4,000
(Million US$)

*Based on initial assessments

Source: Pakistan National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

http://ndma.gov.pk/Documents/flood_2010/flood_comparison.pdf
Map of Flood Affected Area in Pakistan
Pakistan
 2010 Extreme Weather Events around the World !
Pakistan

Heat wave and wildfires in the Russian Federation

Monsoonal flooding in Pakistan

Rain-induced landslides in China

Calving of a large iceberg from the Greenland ice sheet

Droughts and fires in Australia

High-temperature days in the eastern the US

Source: WMO. http://www.wmo.int/pages/mediacentre/news/extremeweathersequence_en.html

 Pakistan Floods 2010: Is it related to Climate Change?
Pakistan

Aggravated the Monsoon activity by the la Niña phenomenon in the

Pacific Ocean, according to World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Scientific projections show the association between intense extreme

weather events and global warming, however, longer time investigations
required to establish whether an individual event is attributable to climate
change!

Until the science finds absolute relationship, in the meanwhile, however,

we can protect the globe from carbon-emitting industries!

Source: WMO. http://www.wmo.int/pages/mediacentre/news/extremeweathersequence_en.html

 El Niño/La Niña-Southern
PakistanOscillation, or ENSO

A climate pattern that occurs across the tropical Pacific Ocean on

average every 5 years (ranged 3 to 7 years)

Characterized by temperature variations of the surface of the tropical

eastern Pacific Ocean:
Warming phase: El Niño, accompanies high air surface
pressure in the west Pacific

Cooling phase: La Niña, accompanies low air surface pressure

in the west Pacific.

Sources:
UN/ ISDR, Living with Risk, Geneva, 2004
Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_nina
 Pakistan Floods Forecasting
Pakistan

You can follow the floods treat in Pakistan through Pakistan Meteorology
Organization at:
http://www.pakmet.com.pk/FFD/index_files/fbc.htm
 

GIS maps of floods affected areas can be found at:

http://www.pakmet.com.pk/FloodMap/Floodwar/floodwar-01.html
 Response to Pakistan Floods
Pakistan
National and international communities has launched the immediate response to
the affected people in Pakistan

However, there are difficulties during

disaster responses:

Millions are in need

Inaccessible or hard to reach areas, as the

roads are destructed and lands are
submerged by floods water

Political relationship affects providing or

accepting the relief aids

Donors are concerned whether the funds

will reach Taliban instead flood victims

Security issues

Unexploded mines
 Health Cluster:
Pakistan
the Coordination Mechanism on the Ground

Disasters brings many players to the field.

To maximize the coordination, health partners need to work to jointly assess and
analyse information, prioritize the interventions, build an evidence-based strategy
and action plan, monitor the health situation and the health sector response,
adapt/re-plan as necessary, mobilize resources and advocate for humanitarian
health action.

WHO is the leading agency and coordinates the Health Cluster.

Read more about Health Cluster at:

http://www.who.int/hac/global_health_cluster/about/en/index.html
 Pakistan Health Needs:
Pakistan

Safe drinking water

Appropriate food
Doctors & nurses
Medicine
Disease surveillance system
Reproductive health
Mental health support
Be alert for the water-borne outbreaks

Please see the Health Cluster report at:

http://www.who.int/hac/crises/pak/sitreps/16august2010/en/index.ht
ml
 Pakistan
Timely and accurate information:
A crucial priority for effective response!

Coordination requires information

Do not stop providing the assistance until you get precise information!

Conduct your assessments and ensure they are followed by an established

information system

Avoid individual assessment , make it efficient by joining the Health Cluster

Public health surveillance can be the basic information system, not only to help
the Health Cluster, but also the other relief provides
 The most Vulnerable Victims
Pakistan

Ensure all assessments and response

efforts take into consideration
the needs of:

Women at child bearing age

Pregnant women
Children
Elderly
Disables
 Recovery toward Sustainable Development
Pakistan

The disaster managers need to plan for the long term needs
and quality of life of the affected people

The plan for recovery phase should be launched now!

 How can we protect ourselves from a flood?
Pakistan

Flood can occur no matter where you live, but especially

low-lying areas and the area near water or downstream
from a dam are the highest risk.

Please see the next slides for FEMA guideline on

protection from floods!

Source: FEMA. http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm

 Before a Flood
Pakistan

Avoid building in a flood prone area unless you elevate and reinforce

your home.

Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to

flooding.

Install "check valves" in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing

up into the drains of your home.

Contact community officials to find out if they are planning to construct

barriers (levees, beams, floodwalls) to stop floodwater from entering the
homes in your area.

Seal the walls in your basement with waterproofing compounds to avoid

seepage.

Source: FEMA. http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm

 During a Flood (1)
Pakistan

If a flood is likely in your area, you should:

Listen to the radio or television for information.

Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash
flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to
move.

Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas

known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or
without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain.

If you must prepare to evacuate, you should do the following:

Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move
essential items to an upper floor.

Source: FEMA. http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm

 During a Flood (2)
Pakistan

Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so.

Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you

are wet or standing in water.

If you have to leave your home, remember these evacuation tips:

Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make
you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving.

Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.

Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car,
abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You
and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.

Source: FEMA. http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm

 Driving Flood Facts
Pakistan

Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing
loss of control and possible stalling.

A foot of water will float many vehicles.

Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport
utility vehicles (SUV’s) and pick-ups.

Source: FEMA. http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm

 After a Flood
Pakistan
Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is
safe to drink.

Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw

sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or
downed power lines.

Avoid moving water.

Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have

weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.

Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power
company.
Source: FEMA. http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm
 After a Flood
Pakistan

Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.

Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.

Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden

damage, particularly in foundations.

Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as

soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards.

Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can
contain sewage and chemicals.

Source: FEMA. http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm

 What
Whatisis aa Disaster?
Disaster?

• A disaster is a function of the risk process.

• It results from the combination of hazards, conditions of

vulnerability and insufficient capacity or measures to reduce the
potential negative consequences of risk.

Source: UN/ISDR
 Hazard

A potentially damaging physical event, phenomenon or human

activity that may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage,
social and economic disruption or environmental degradation.

Natural Geological Earthquake

Hydro meteorological Flood, Hurricane
Biological Pandemic

Human Induced Environmental degradation Deforestation

Technological Nuclear release

Source: UN/ISDR
 Vulnerability
What is the Vulnerability?

• The conditions determined by physical, social, economic, and

environmental factors or processes, which increase the
susceptibility of a community to the impact of hazards.

• Pakistan vulnerability to flood hazard

Source: UN/ISDR
 Risk

• The probability of harmful consequences, or expected losses

(deaths, injuries, property, livelihoods, economic activity disrupted
or environment damaged) resulting from interactions between
natural or human-induced hazards & vulnerable conditions.

• Risk = Hazards x Vulnerability/Readiness

Source: UN/ISDR
 Decades
30 of Experience
years continuous evolution in the
practice of Crisis or Disaster Management

 Civil defense
 Emergency assistance
Strategic shift from
 Disaster response and relief
managing a
 Humanitarian assistance disastrous event to
 Emergency management more preventive
 Civil protection and proactive

 Disaster mitigation and prevention approaches!!

 Disaster Risk Management

Source: UN/ISDR
 Disaster Risk Reduction

The conceptual framework of elements considered with the

possibilities to minimize vulnerabilities and disaster risks

throughout a society, to avoid (prevention) or to limit (mitigation

and preparedness) the adverse impacts of hazards, within the

broad context of sustainable development !

Source: UN/ISDR
 Pakistan

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