Pakistan case study

• What natural event caused the flooding in Pakistan in 2010?

  Summer monsoon
• What was a significant physical cause of the 2010 flooding in Pakistan?

  Snowmelt in the Himalayan foothills
• How did higher temperatures in 2010 contribute to the flooding?

  They caused additional melting of glaciers in the Himalayas
• How many glacial lakes were reported in the context of the flooding?

  92 of the 2,300 glacial lakes
• What role did population growth play in the flooding event?

  It led to pressure for food and housing, contributing to deforestation
• What is Pakistan's deforestation rate?

  2% per annum
• What impact did deforestation have on flood risk in Pakistan?

  It increased flood risk and river bank erosion
• What percentage of forest cover has Pakistan lost in the last 20 years?

  25%
• How did the irrigation system contribute to flooding?

  Channels were often choked by silt, reducing capacity
• What percentage of the entire discharge of the river system is used for irrigation?

  70%
• What immediate impact did high floods have on river channels?

  They carried large amounts of silt, reducing carrying capacity
• What were the long-term benefits of regular flooding in Pakistan?

  They can enhance agricultural productivity and groundwater levels
• How many people were estimated to have died due to the flooding?

  Between 1,600 and 1,781 people
• How many people were displaced as a result of the flooding?

  6 million people
• What was the estimated number of houses damaged or destroyed?

  1. 6 million houses
• What was the impact of flooding on agricultural production?

  Agricultural production was heavily impacted with losses to crops and livestock
• What infrastructure was significantly damaged by the floods?

  Roads, schools, and hospitals were heavily damaged
• How many villages were flooded during the event?

  11,000 villages
• What was the estimated financial loss due to the flooding?

  £7 billion
• What environmental impacts did the flooding have on wildlife?

  Significant numbers of wildlife were killed, including hog deer and bears
• How did the flooding affect the planting of wheat for the Rabi season?


  Farmers were unable to plant wheat due to prolonged flooding
• What were the immediate impacts of the 2010 flooding in Pakistan?

  • Deaths estimated between 1,000 and 1,781
  • Injuries between 2,400 and 2,900
  • 6 million displaced, with 300,000 refugees in Sukkur city
  • 1.6 million houses damaged or destroyed
  • Extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads and hospitals
• What were the long-term effects of the flooding on agriculture and livelihoods in Pakistan?

  • Increased water flow helps reduce soil salinity
  • 75% of irrigation in Pakistan affected
  • Long-term impacts on economic activities and food security
  • Damage to agricultural infrastructure leading to unemployment
• What were the environmental impacts of the flooding in Pakistan?

  • Flooding covered 20% of the country
  • Extensive damage to cropland and agricultural infrastructure
  • Pollution from washed petrol and diesel
  • Mudslides triggered in northern provinces