Pakistan monsoon 2023: Chitral observation Mission Report (As of 18th Aug 2023)

Context

Chitral is situated along the Chitral River in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It serves as the capital of the Chitral District and before that as the capital of Chitral princely state that encompassed the region until its direct incorporation into West Pakistan on 14 August 1947. As of 2021, the estimated population of Lower Chitral is 278,000 and Upper Chitral 201,000.

Summary

The floods that hit Chitral in late July 2023 had a profound impact on people's lives and livelihoods. On 22 July 2023, the districts of Lower and Upper Chitral received an exceptional and unprecedented torrential/orographic rain. The rain was followed by thunderstorms, cloud outbursts, and flash floods in the streams, inflicting devastation. Following the disaster and keeping in view the severity of the disaster the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has declared an emergency in the districts vide letter No. SO(Admn)RR&SD/2-49/2023 dated 23.07.2023 till 15 August 2023. The Secretary of Relief, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa extended the timeframe of the Chitral food emergency to 31 August as more flash floods on 10 August hit Kaldam, Gole, Darosh, Goleand, and Shishikoh Valley which damaged houses, community-based infrastructure, agriculture, and water supply schemes.

These floods exposed Chitral's vulnerability to climate change, underlining the urgent need for immediate humanitarian response coupled with disaster risk reduction and resilience-building efforts. The mountainous region, known for its beauty and vibrant culture, faced immense challenges due to these extreme climate events. It is essential to address vulnerability factors and rebuild better to protect vulnerable people and their livelihoods. The devastating floods in Chitral have had a profound impact on multiple sectors, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, housing, education, transport, communications, water resources, agriculture, fisheries, and protective structures.

The floods disrupted livelihoods, left communities vulnerable, and necessitated urgent assistance and support. In the Housing sector, a significant number of houses were destroyed or partially damaged, leaving families in distress and in need of urgent shelter and essential items for recovery. The Education sector faced considerable challenges as floods damaged critical transportation infrastructure, making it difficult for students to access schools regularly. Partially damaged educational institutes further hindered academic activities, necessitating prompt repair and reconstruction efforts. Transport and Communications infrastructure suffered extensive destruction, isolating communities and hindering the flow of goods and services. The Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector experienced severe disruptions in water supply systems, leaving communities without clean and safe drinking water.

The Agriculture and Livestock sectors, crucial to the livelihoods, incurred significant damage to crops, lands, orchards, and livestock. Rehabilitation efforts, including fodder supply, climate-smart seeds, and livestock vaccinations, are vital for farmers and livestock owners to recover from losses and adopt resilient practices. Moreover, protective structures, including walls safeguarding settlements and infrastructure, were damaged, rendering communities vulnerable to future flooding events. Reconstruction and reinforcement of these structures are essential for community safety. In light of these challenges, timely and collaborative interventions among stakeholders, government authorities, and humanitarian organizations are imperative to support Chitral's affected communities.