Pakistan floods annual report 2010

Till 1976, the Provincial Governments were responsible for the planning and execution of flood protection works. Heavy losses sustained to the economy during disastrous floods of 1973 and 1976 were discussed at an Inter-Provincial Conference in 1977 and subsequently in January 1977, it was decided by the Federal Government to establish Federal Flood Commission (FFC) at the federal level in order to ensure comprehensive integrated flood management on country wide basis. Since its establishment, FFC has so far prepared and executed three National Flood Protection Plans covering periods from 1978-1988 (NFPP-I), 1988-1998 (NFPP-II) and 1998-2008 (NFPP-III). NFPP-IV (2008- 2018) is under approval by Planning Commission, while flood protection works are being undertaken through Normal/Emergent Flood Programme (GOP funded) on yearly basis to meet urgent need of the Provinces and Federal Line Agencies. Until now, a total investment of Rs 26.138 billion (this includes 1988-Flood Damages Restoration Project and 1992-94 Flood Damages Restoration Project costing Rs 1.80 billion and 6.50 billion respectively) has been made for construction of flood protection infrastructure and flood forecasting & warning system. Presently, the provinces & federal line agencies are maintaining 1410 No. of Spurs and 6803 Km long flood embankments in various parts of the country.
Generally, floods are caused by the heavy concentrated rainfall during the monsoon season, which are sometimes augmented by snowmelt flows in rivers. Occasionally destructive floods are also caused due to Monsoon currents originating in the Bay of Bengal and resultant depressions which often result in heavy downpour in the Himalayan foothills additionally affected by the weather systems from the Arabian Sea (Seasonal Low) and from the Mediterranean Sea (Westerly Wave).
Pakistan has suffered a cumulative financial loss of US$ 30 billion during the past 60 years. During the period from 1950 to 2009, there was a total financial loss of US$ 20 billion, some 8,887 people lost their lives, 109,822 villages were reportedly damaged/ destroyed and an overall area of 407,132 Sq.km was affected. In comparison, 2010- Floods alone resulted into a cumulative financial loss of US$ 10 billion, life loss of about 2,000 people, 17,553 villages were reportedly damaged/ destroyed and a total area of 160,000 Sq.km was affected.
Federal Flood Commission is responsible for integrated planning for flood control at the national level and arrange financial resources for the implementation of flood management projects on country wide basis. Under Normal/Emergent Flood Program, all the four provinces and Federal Line Agencies (Gilgit-Baltistan, FATA, and AJ&K) submit their flood related schemes which are technically scrutinized and submitted to Ministry of Water & Power for approval of DDWP/ CDWP. Flood Communication Cell of Federal Flood Commission remains in operation on round-the-clock basis for the entire flood season (July-October) and Flood Situation Report is issued on daily basis to all concerned.