Analysis of 2010-flood causes, nature and magnitude in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

This article attempts to analyse the nature, magnitude and causes of 2010 disastrous flood that seriously affected the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. Pakistan is famous for its summer floods, but the flood of 2010 is considered to be the century’s worst. It has broken all the previous records in terms of discharge, damages and amount of rainfall occurred. Most of the meteorological stations have received rainfall above normal. Data for this study were collected both from primary and secondary sources. A total 150 questionnaires were filled in from the flood victims. However, secondary data were obtained from the Pakistan Meteorology Department, Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, Federal Flood Commission, Provincial Disaster Management Authority, National Disaster Management Authority, Surface Water Hydrology Department and Provincial Irrigation and Drainage Authority. The analysis reveals that heavy and prolonged rainfall for four consecutive days (27–30 July) was the major cause of 2010-flood. In addition to this, the development of unusual low pressure zone over the northern Pakistan, aggradations of river bed, rapid deforestation, ponding back of river by motorway, blocking of bridges by tree trunks and subsequent bursting of temporary dams have played their role in causing the disastrous flood in almost all the rivers of KPK. This has inflicted terrible damages to human lives, standing crops, housing, infrastructure and other properties.