IMPACTS OF FLOODS ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC LIVELIHOOD OF PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN: A CASE STUDY OF MIANWALI DISTRICT OF PUNJAB

Abstract

Floods is the most destructive natural hazard in Pakistan and the recent floods from 2010 has proved its severeness. The present study is explores the effects of floods on socio-economic livelihoods of the people of affected areas of Mianwali. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used to find out the impacts of floods. The study documented that how floods impacted on the socio-economic livelihoods of the people and also other aspects like cultivation, housing, property and assets, water and sanitation, health, and education. The main objectives of the investigation are to explore the situation, history, causes of floods, degree and effects of the flooding. In the study area, floods are recurrent phenomenon and from the repeated floods in last few years have some destructive impact. These floods were unique as the floods were primarily due to the heavy rainfall in the whole of Pakistan. The floods damaged the infrastructures like houses, health, educational institutes, etc. and also agriculture land, standing crops, and livestock. Floods caused trouble in movement, risk for living at houses intensified, fear, trauma, and destruction of social networks such as brotherhood, neighborhood, etc. Similarly, destruction of food stocks and water borne diseases in humans also in animals. Floods forecasting, floods early warning system and flood management save many lives and assets.