K-P unveils monsoon contingency plan

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Relief, Rehabilitation & Settlement Department, has unveiled the Monsoon Contingency Plan 2023 – a comprehensive strategy aimed at minimizing disaster risks and facilitating a coordinated and timely response.

Under the supervision of relief department the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has actively engaged district administration, provincial and federal line departments, as well as humanitarian partners in developing this plan, incorporating valuable lessons learned from previous experiences.

The primary objective is to mitigate the impact of disasters and safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the people residing in the province.

According to the plan, 10 districts, including Chitral Upper, Chitral Lower, Swat, DI Khan, Tank, Charsadda, Nowshera, Kohistan Upper, Shangla, and Dir Upper, are identified as very highly prone to disasters.

Additionally, six other districts, Malakand, Dir Lower, Tor Ghar, Kohistan Lower, Kolai Palas Kohistan, and Peshawar, are classified as high risk areas.

Floods have been an ongoing issue, particularly in lowland areas, resulting in water-borne diseases, loss of human and livestock life, and damage to infrastructure.

The contingency plan addresses this concern through a comprehensive flood risk management approach that encompasses prevention, mitigation, preparedness, emergency response, and recovery measures.

Prevention measures focus on discouraging construction in current and future flood-prone areas, adapting future developments to flood risks, and promoting appropriate land-use and agricultural practices.

Mitigation strategies include structural and non-structural measures aimed at reducing the likelihood and impact of floods in specific locations.

Preparedness efforts aim to educate the population about flood risks and provide guidance on appropriate actions during a flood.

Emergency response plans are being developed to ensure a swift and effective response in the event of a flood. Furthermore, the plan incorporates recovery and lessons learned from previous experiences components to minimize the social and economic impacts on affected communities and facilitate their return to normalcy.

PDMA has actively promoted the contingency planning process as a preparedness measure for natural hazards, particularly during the monsoon season.

The plan builds upon the lessons learned from past flood events, such as the catastrophic floods of 2010, heavy monsoon rainfalls of 2011, flash floods in 2012, and subsequent disasters. By conducting risk and vulnerability assessments, the plan aims to strengthen preparedness and response capacities while identifying and addressing gaps and challenges.

Key outcomes expected from the contingency plan include raising awareness and building capacity for effective response, anticipating and allocating necessary resources based on threat perception, developing integrated planning capacities, and addressing gaps through preparatory measures.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2023.