Just like any country with its boundary touching the sea, there are chances of a flood. Pakistan is no stranger to that situation. The naval area of Pakistan comprises 240,000 square kilometers of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The combined area of roughly 290,000 square kilometers has an enormous natural resource potential.
Pakistan is ranked eighth among countries most open to climate crises despite having less than one percent contribution to global carbon emissions, according to the Climate Change Risk Index 2021.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), more than 600 people have died and thousands have lost their homes across Pakistan as torrential rains keep pummeling the country.
The 2010 monsoon flood disaster in Pakistan was a behemoth and nothing like that had ever been seen before, killing more than 1,700 persons, affecting over 20 percent of the land area, more than 20 million people, and causing loss of billions of dollars through damages to properties, housing, agriculture and farms, and other family assets. Essential infrastructure including roads, bridges, and markets has been severely damaged and many remain blocked.
The government is blamed for laziness as downpours leave schools destroyed, homes ruined, crops withered and cholera outbreaks on the rise.
The immediate health effects of floods include drowning, hypothermia, injuries and animal bites. Health cautions are also associated with the evacuation of patients, loss of health workers, and loss of health properties including essential drugs and supplies.
What are the dangers of floods?
The health and safety risks include:
- Electrical damage and risks
- Structural damage
- Infrastructure destruction including road and bridge damage
- Sharp glasses and piercing metal objects
- Hygiene problems and diseases from stagnant water
- Unhygienic drinking water
- Unavailability of life-saving drugs and supplies
- Defunct drainage and sewage systems
- Communications barrier and shortage of rescue operations
- Loss of life
The Spread of transmittable diseases is the primary flood-related health issue in our setup. Various diseases transmitted during flood catastrophes are usually broken down into water-borne and vector-borne diseases.
The most common water-borne diseases include:
- Typhoid
- Cholera
- Leptospirosis
- Hepatitis A
Other diseases transmitted by the orofacial route include
- Non-specific diarrhea
- Cryptosporidiosis,
- Poliomyelitis,
- Rotavirus Infections
- Paratyphoid
The main vector-borne diseases include
- Malaria
- Dengue,
- Hemorrhagic fever
Psychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression are common and may last for months and years after the flood. Long-term mental health effects like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be in flood victims having some residual memories of catastrophic nature.
The environmental hazards also include dangers during rescue operations by the authorities in flood-affected areas. Organizations like National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the health department, and governmental and non-governmental organizations are doing what they can to make the lives easier for the flood-affected people, but there is still some lack of coordination between them. What we need is a whole new Nation Action Plan for disaster management so that rescue and rehabilitation strategies can be effectively planned.
The proposed action plan based on preparedness, response, and recovery system can be more useful in reducing damage to human life and the economy of the country.
Conclusively, health risks caused by floods are many, but we at The Professionals provide a wide range of clinical and medical services to ensure the best health services. Contact us to book an appointment and get guidance from our experts at Doctify for all your health-related issues.
