Description

Flood is one of the most dangerous natural disasters. It happens when excessive water is collected in any
area. It usually happens due to heavy rainfall. India is highly prone to flood. There are many regions in
the country that face this natural disaster because of the overflowing of rivers.

Floods are the most frequent type of natural disaster and occur when an overflow of water submerges
land that is usually dry. Floods are often caused by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt or a storm surge from a
tropical cyclone or tsunami in coastal areas.

Damage
From 14 June to October 2022, floods in Pakistan killed 1,739 people, and caused ₨ 3.2 trillion of
damage and ₨ 3.3 trillion of economic losses. The immediate causes of the floods were heavier than
usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers that followed a severe heat wave, both of which are linked to
climate change.

Sindh province is the most affected, with 64% of the total road damage and 40% of the bridge damage
nationwide. The floods also caused “unprecedented damage” to Pakistan's rail network.

After-effects of Flood
Floods interrupt with the day-to-day functioning of the affected area. The severe floods sometimes cause
mass destruction. A lot of people and animals lose their lives due to floods. Several others are injured.
Floods also bring a rise in diseases. The stagnant water attracts mosquitoes causing malaria, dengue, and
more illnesses.

Furthermore, people face power cuts due to the danger of electrocution. They also have to face
expensive pricing. As the supply of food and goods gets limited, the prices naturally grow higher. This
creates a big problem for the common man.

Most importantly, the whole country faces economic loss. The resources needed to rescue people and
tackle this disaster demands a hefty amount. Plus, the citizens lose their houses and cars which they
worked all their lives for.

Causes of Flood in Pakistan

The immediate causes of the floods were heavier than usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers that
followed a severe heat wave, both of which are linked to climate change. The flooding was the world's
deadliest flood since the 2020 South Asian floods and described as the worst in the country's history.
Heavy rains and a combination of riverine, urban and flash flooding have led to an unprecedented
climate-induced disaster in Pakistan since June 2022, causing widespread fatalities, killing livestock, and
damaging and destroying public and private infrastructure across the country.04-Oct-2022

Ways to Prevent flood

The government and citizens must work together to formulate ways to prevent floods. Proper awareness
must be spread about the steps to take when floods occur. Warning systems must be set up so people
get sufficient time to save themselves. In addition, areas that are more likely to have floods must have
tall buildings above the flood level.

Further, there should be an efficient system for storing excessive water due to rain. This will prevent the
overflowing of water. One of the most important steps is to strengthen the drainage system. This can
avoid water logging which will prevent floods.