Pakistan: Floods [DHA-02: 30-Aug-96]

                   PAKISTAN - FLOODS
         DHA-GENEVA - INFORMATION REPORT NO. 2
                    30 AUGUST 1996


1. THE UNDP/DHA RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE IN ISLAMABAD PROVIDES THE
FOLLOWING UPDATE ON THE FLOOD SITUATION IN LAHORE AND OTHER PARTS OF
PUNJAB PROVINCE.

LAHORE

2. THE RAIN WATERS HAVE RECEDED AND THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES, WITH
ASSISTANCE OF THE ARMY, HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CARRY OUT EFFECTIVE
RELIEF OPERATIONS, INCLUDING DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD AND OTHER
RELIEF GOODS, AS REPORTED BY THE PUNJAB RELIEF COMMISSIONER AND
THE UNICEF OFFICE IN LAHORE.

3. A REMAINING NEED IN THE AFFECTED AREAS IS TO DISPOSE OF
STAGNANT WATER FOR WHICH THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH DE-WATERING PUMPS.
SINCE THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY AFFECTED PEOPLE IS NOT VERY HIGH,
THE SITUATION CAN BE HANDLED BY THE CONCERNED POPULATION AND THE
LOCAL AUTHORITIES.


CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PUNJAB

4. THE WATER LEVEL OF THE THREE RIVERS JEHLUM, CHENAB AND RAVI IS
RECEDING IN CENTRAL PUNJAB. THE ACCUMULATED WATER PASSING THROUGH
SOUTHERN PUNJAB AND SINDH PROVINCE RAISES CONCERN OF THE LOCAL
ADMINISTRATION, BUT AT NO PLACE HAS THERE BEEN A BREACH OR AN
OVERFLOWING OF THE RIVER BANKS.

5. THE MAJORITY OF THE 2,024 VILLAGES AFFECTED IN CENTRAL PUNJAB
HAVE BEEN FLOODED DUE TO SWOLLEN STREAMS AND IRRIGATION CANALS
WHICH WERE BREACHED BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES AT VARIOUS POINTS.

6. THE SITUATION IS LIKELY TO IMPROVE IF NO FURTHER RAINS TAKE
PLACE IN THE CATCHMENT AREAS IN THE NORTH.


TELEPHONE NO. +41-22/917.12.34
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ONLY: TEL +41-22/917.20.10
DESK OFFICER: MRS. METZNER-STRACK, DIRECT TEL. +41-22/917.21.44
PRESS TO CONTACT: MRS. MOULIN-ACEVEDO, DIRECT TEL. +41-22/917.28.56
TELEX: 414242 DHA CH
FAX:+41-22/917.00.23
ELECTRONIC MAIL: DHAGVA@DHA.UNICC.ORG


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