The year 2022 saw devastating floods wreak havoc across Pakistan, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in the South Asian country’s history. Torrential rainfall fell during the annual monsoon season, which resulted in flash flooding across the nation. This caused the River Indus, which runs the length of Pakistan, to swell and burst its banks, which worsened the flooding.
The human cost of this calamity has been horrifying, with over 1,700 people and more than 520 children killed. Thousands of people have been injured, rendered homeless, and pushed to extreme poverty.
So, which parts of Pakistan are flooded? We will outline the answer in this blog article.
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- Why is Pakistan flooding so badly?
- Is Pakistan running out of water?
- How much aid has Pakistan received?
How bad was the flood in Pakistan in 2022?
The ravaging floodwaters have destroyed hundreds of buildings and bridges and washed away homes, roads, villages, farmland and crops. Also, the floods have killed over 1.2 million livestock. This has impacted the supply of animal products such as milk and meat, which has caused widespread food shortages and hiked up food prices.
One-third of the country is still submerged underwater, and it will take months for the floodwaters to recede.
The economic impact of the flood is disastrous. Millions are needed for the country to recover, repair damage caused and recoup losses. Total damage estimates exceed $10 billion, with further financial losses and disruption to Pakistan’s economy expected. Agriculture and transport are among the sectors which have been impacted the worst.
Among the surviving populations, dangerous waterborne diseases such as dengue fever and cholera are spreading, as are skin infections. People who have been inhaling dirty floodwater, or who have been immersed in it, are also at risk of developing diseases such as lower respiratory tract infections, eye diseases or bacterial infections spread by animals. Yet, the people affected cannot access medications or medical treatment to relieve their suffering, because the floodwaters have caused major damage to hospitals, clinics, medical facilities and medical equipment.
Accessing clean water and sanitation is another huge struggle for people whose lives have been left in absolute ruin by the floods. In a country where 79 million people were already lacking access to a proper toilet, this problem has been greatly exacerbated, as the floods have caused major damage to sanitation facilities and polluted water supply lines. This has left people with the horrendous choice of either drinking contaminated water or dehydrating.
Unfortunately, a mental health crisis is also rampant in Pakistan, following the floods. Many survivors are anxious, traumatised and depressed, as the floods have deprived them of their homes, livelihoods, assets, and good health. According to the Sindh Mental Health Authority, there has been a surge in people seeking psychiatric treatment, due to uncertain and deteriorating socioeconomic conditions.
Sadly, the global climate emergency has also helped drive the natural disaster. As the world pumps more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, this heats the earth up more. This leads to more extreme weather conditions such as floods, cyclones and heatwaves. Scientists have found that climate change led to the extreme rainfall that caused the flooding. Global warming has also caused the glaciers in Pakistan to melt, which exacerbated the problem in 2022.
Pakistan only contributes 0.8% of the global carbon footprint, yet it is one of the most climate-stressed countries on the planet. It is also a hugely disaster-prone nation, as it is one of the most seismically active countries on earth, making it prone to destructive earthquakes.
Which parts of Pakistan are flooded?
So, which parts of Pakistan are flooded?
The catastrophic floods have affected all four provinces of Pakistan- Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh. Large swathes of the country remain flooded, with no hope for thousands of people to return to their homes and neighbourhoods.
But the areas which have suffered the worst damage are the southern provinces of Sindh and its neighbour, Balochistan.
Damages in Sindh
- Sindh is responsible for 42% of Pakistan’s rice production, but the floods have now resulted in an estimated loss of 1.8 million tons of rice (which is 80% of its total rice production).
- In the Dadu district of Sindh, the Indus Highway and the highway connecting the north and south have been submerged and heavily impacted by flood water.
- Additionally, the city of Khairpur Nathan Shah is completely surrounded by flood water.
- Moreover, the districts of Dadu, Larkana, Sukkur and Shahdadkot have turned into a lake over 60 miles wide, because the River Indus has been overflowing.
Damages in Balochistan
- Balochistan received rainfall which was 5 times higher than its 30-year average.
- 60% of the total houses destroyed by the floods were in Balochistan, which is Pakistan’s poorest province.
- The flood waters have damaged over 200,000 acres of land, washed away 22 bridges and covered over 2,200 kilometres of roads.
- Around 3,000 schools across 26 districts of Balochistan have been destroyed or damaged by the floods, which is disrupting the education of 386,000 students across the province.
- A 24-inch-wide gas pipeline passing under the riverbed near the Bibi Nani area has been washed away, which has suspended gas supply to many towns, including Quetta, Pishin, Mastung, Kalat, Pishin and Ziarat.
Damages in Punjab
- The floods have killed 40 people and destroyed over 900,000 acres of crops in south Punjab.
- Over 46,300 houses have been damaged in Punjab.
- Around 178,000 acres of crops and orchards have been impacted in Punjab.
Damages in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Over 1,400 schools have been damaged.
- 63% of crops and vegetables in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been damaged by the flood waters.
- The natural disaster has resulted in losses of Rs 19.4 billion for the roads sector, Rs 4.8 billion in the public health engineering sector, and Rs 11.5 billion in the energy and power sector.
How can we help the people affected by the floods in Pakistan?
As you can see, Pakistan is a country which urgently requires humanitarian aid. It is a low-income, developing nation which is striving to lift people out of poverty and difficult financial circumstances.
But, Pakistan can’t do this alone. The vulnerable people in Pakistan desperately need financial assistance, to repair their lives, following the devastating floods of 2022.
The floods have left thousands of people in a state of misery, despair and hopelessness. With no shelter, food, clean water, adequate sanitation or medical care, these people have little chance of surviving this crisis.
That is why we at Zohra Foundation are encouraging supporters to donate to our Pakistan Flood Appeal, to help fund life-saving aid for people affected by this catastrophe.
Our team is currently on the ground in Pakistan, distributing aid such as cooked meals, clean water, kitchen utensils, medicines, tents and hygiene kits, to help people recover from this devastating natural disaster. We have also started rebuilding homes, to offer shelter, safety and comfort to people who have been displaced during this tragedy.
Click here to donate to Zohra Foundation’s Pakistan Flood appeal today- every penny helps.
We are grateful for every donation we receive. Your donations are funding the essential supplies that so many vulnerable people urgently need at this moment.
Why donate to Zohra Foundation?
All projects at Zohra Foundation are Zakat eligible. You can choose to make a one-off donation or donate on a monthly basis.
Click here to view the Zakat Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and find out more.
There are so many teachings in Islam which emphasise the importance of donating to charity and showing compassion for others, such as:
“Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.” – Hadith of Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H
“If you do deeds of charity openly, it is well; But if you bestow it upon the needy in secretly, it will be even better for you.” [Quran 2:271].
These beautiful quotes show you the importance of giving to charity- it allows you to earn the pleasure of Allah SWT, increase blessings in your life, and safeguard yourself on the Day of Resurrection.
Sadaqah Jariyah (continuous charity) is also an act which is very pleasing to God. The Messenger of Allah said: “When a man dies, all his good deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), beneficial knowledge and a righteous son who prays for him.”
Therefore, Sadaqah Jariyah is an excellent way to reap countless rewards for years to come. It is a truly impactful gesture, as it makes a huge difference for vulnerable communities.
Your Sadaqah Jariyah can help support multiple generations of a needy family, to help with their health, hunger and hygiene needs.
Donate to Zohra Foundation
Zohra Foundation is a London-based, UK-registered charity organization that aims to improve the lives of millions of orphans, widows and the elderly throughout Pakistan and respond to emergencies in other parts of the world.
We are currently delivering emergency relief across Pakistan, following the devastating 2022 floods.
Donate to Zohra Foundation’s Pakistan Flood appeal here.
Support our Pakistan relief projects on medical aid, dementia camps and eye camps here.
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We hope this article has helped you better understand which parts of Pakistan are flooded.
