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Geographical and physical impact of the 2016 Pakistan floods

Due to varying geography, Pakistan has many different climates, including: hot desert climates, humid subtropical climates, hot semi-arid climates, cold desert climates, cold semi-arid climates and oceanic climates. The average annual precipitation is 494mm and the average monthly precipitation is 4.30mm. Pakistan is also described as having “three major hydrological landscapes” these consist of the Indus Basin, the Kharan Basin and the Makran Coastal area. It was large quantities of rainwater and glacial melt into the Indus Basin area that primarily contributed to the 2016 floods

Pakistan’s monsoon rains originate from moisture which is moved over India. Consequently, flooding events occur every year. However, the monsoons are beginning to migrate north-westerly, where there are fewer smaller and narrower rivers which are not as sufficient at collecting monsoon water to prevent flooding.

In the provinces of Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber-Paktunkhwa, FATA, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, it was reported that 62 people died, 97 were injured and 171 houses were damaged as of the 18th of March 2016. However, as of the 13th of April 2016, it was reported that 262 people had died, 223 were injured and 2700 houses were damaged. and many collapsed. This was due to the heavy rain which caused flooding and consequently landslides. As a result, food shortages in Gilgit Balistan were experienced due to the blocking of the Karakoram Highway. Houses are poorly built, especially in rural areas which meant they were susceptible to collapse after heavy rain. 300,000 families were registered displaced after the floods but now half have returned to their homes. The recurrence of frequent floods in Pakistan poses serious threat to crops, properties and human life.

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