|
| DISASTER MANAGEMENT – An Overview on Pakistan |
| |
| With the tropical climate and unstable landforms, coupled with high population density, poverty, illiteracy and lack of adequate infrastructure, Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable developing countries to suffer very often from various natural disasters, namely drought, flood, cyclone, earthquake, landslide, forest fire, hail storm etc. which strike causing a devastating impact on human life, economy and environment. Though it is almost impossible to fully recoup the damage caused by the disasters, it is possible to: |
| |
- minimize the potential risks by developing early warning strategies
- prepare and implement developmental plans to provide resilience to such disasters
- mobilize resources including communication and telemedicine services, and
- to help in rehabilitation and post-disaster reconstruction.
|
| |
| Geographically, Pakistan is situated in hazard-prone region. It is exposed to erratic seasonal monsoons that bring rain and fertility. They also cause violent flash floods inflicting heavy damages to property and land. Floods are the most recurrent natural calamity in Pakistan, followed by earthquakes, cyclones and drought. However, drought is more damaging than floods in terms of food insecurity. |
| |
| In the northern region of Pakistan the Hindukush and Himalayan ranges are situated. The Himalayas is the common place of natural hazards especially earthquakes, floods, severe winter storms, retreating glaciers, landslides, soil degradation etc. |
| |
| The known record for last one hundred years tells us that four major earthquakes exceeding 8 on the Richter scale have occurred in the Himalayan region. |
| |
| Other than these natural hazards, biological risks like epidemics, outbreaks of diseases like cholera, typhoid, and enteric can cause disaster situations. |
| |
| This geographical area experiences adverse impacts of climate change like extreme temperatures and severe heat and cold waves also. |
| |
| This region is also prone to cyclones, which hit coastal areas of Pakistan. The region is known as having winds between 62 and 116 km per hour resulting in windstorms, thunders, and lightening and torrential rains. In May 1999, a cyclone stuck Badin and Thatta coast causing destruction to agricultural land, orchards, fruits and vegetable fields. |
| |
|
|
