Initial Rapid Assessment Report For Flood in Tehsil , District July 31, 2013

Date of Survey: Wednesday July 31st, 2013. Time: 10:00 hrs. – 18:00 hrs. Area assessed: Tehsil Rojhan – District Rajanpur

Map of Tehsil Rojhan: Parts of Union Council Meranpur & Dera Dildar are submerged; local community is migrating to safer places.

PartnerAid Rapid Assessment Team:

 Ishtiaq Ahmad – Program Manager.  Mir Afzal – Field Logistics Officer.  Ashar Munir - Field Finance Officer.

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Background: Rajanpur District is located in southern Punjab. The total population of this district is 1,522,511. It comprises of three tehsils; , Rajanpur and Rojhan. is an administrative subdivision (tehsil) of Rajanpur District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is administratively subdivided into 8 Union Councils. It lies at the foot of the Suleiman Range, near the inter- provincial borders of Baluchistan, Sindh and Punjab. It is one of the most under-developed and insecure tehsil. People are mostly poor and rely on agricultural activities for their livelihood.

In August 2010 Rajanpur district was immensely affected by floods due to the overflow of River Indus. Subsequently, in 2012 the flood water came from Koh-e-Sultan and Shacher torrent (rivulet) into different union councils of Rajanpur, causing large-scale destruction in Rojhan. Now again the situation is building for the possible flooding in the area. Pakistan metrological department has already predicted heavy rainfall in northern parts of Pakistan. The recent heavy rains are increasing the water level in all five major rivers of Pakistan which meet in Rajanpur District in Indus River.

Below is the map by OCHA which is indicating the flood situation in the country.

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The water level of river Indus is slowly increasing and water is stretching in the adjacent area of Tehsil Rojhan including Moza Wah Machka, Moza Dera Dildar and Moza Meranpur. PartnerAid maintains presence in these areas through its Village Development Committees.

In Moza Wah Machka the water has reached to Basti Arz Muhammad. The Salathani belt is totally covered by 3 to 3.5 feet water and the only access is through boat. Still the local community is in their houses and if the water level continues to rise they will start evacuating the area.

Water level of 2 feet was measured from Basti Hameed Abad onwards and this level was slowly rising. This flood water could become a source of breeding place for mosquitoes, water borne diseases, contaminate local water hand pumps, and bring down mud houses.

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In Moza Dera Dildar the only road to Rojhan will submerge if the water level continues to rise. Since this area is near the river, the water level is about 3.5 feet.

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In Moza Meranpur The flood situation is a little more alarming in this village due to its proximity from river Indus. The flood water is entering the main Meranpur village. Most basties, cluster of houses, are cutoff from the main road and the access is only through boats. In Meranpur the people have already started evacuating the area and moving to nearby road which is about 7 feet high.

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The community from the Kachha area has also started evacuation and they are taking refuge in Rojhan City. At present it is not confirmed as to how many houses are directly affected but if the rains continue then a large population of the area is estimated to be severely affected.

PartnerAid through its field staff is in touch with its local volunteers, community elders and government line departments to ensure the Community can effectively respond to the prevailing flood situation.

Although, the local Government has planned for possible flood and relief response but there was no immediate visible activity to assist the flood affected families.

In case of possible emergency, the affected families will need temporary shelters, clean drinking water, health care and food support.

For more information please contact: Ishtiaq Ahmad – Program Manager Ashar Dean – Country Representative Field Office: 0604-688 877 Country Office: +92 – 51 – 221 2917 Cell: 0300-5622899 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Email: [email protected]

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