Over 700,000 people have been affected by heavy snowfall across the north of Pakistan and floods in Balochistan. The death toll nationwide is over 400 so far.

Torrential rain, floods and a burst dam in Balochistan have claimed over 200 lives. Meanwhile, heavy snow and avalanches in the north of Pakistan have caused more deaths over the past two weeks.

Balochistan

Up to half a million people have been badly affected by floods and heavy rains, leaving thousands of displaced families in urgent need of shelter.

Some of the worst-affected flood areas in Balochistan were further devastated by a burst dam near the town of Pasni. The collapse of the Shaadi Kor Dam swept away five villages, bridges and destroyed acres of crops. The death toll has reached 135, with 500 people still missing.

Access to affected areas of Pasni and Gowadar remain difficult.

Azad Kashmir and NWFP

Avalanches, flash floods and roof collapses have brought chaos to North and Northwest Pakistan over the past week. Up to 200 people have died so far.

Police in Azad Jammu and Kashmir report that approximately 50 people have been killed in avalanches.

Over 750,000 people are affected in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) where many roads are impassable, blocked by landslides or snow. The death toll in NWFP is around 320. Swat, Mansehra, Shangla, Battagram and Abbottabad are the areas most affected.

People have been completely cut-off, with telephone lines and electricity supplies out of order. Snowdrifts have blocked roads through the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountain ranges.

Islamic Relief Action

Islamic Relief’s Pakistan office is co-ordinating its assessment and response to the emergencies with UN agencies and other aid organisations.

Staff have conducted a joint assessment of the situation with Oxfam and Concern. Distributions of emergency relief goods such as food, water and shelter are planned.