10 SEP 2014 : FLOOD UPDATE ( DISTRICT RAJANPUR) Situational Context: As per the latest statistics by Flood Forecasting Division (FDD) of Punjab, flood situation is expected to worsen in Southern Punjab now as the high level inflows have almost crossed the Central Punjab region and soon to expectedly inundate the area between Trimmu Headworks (District Jhang) and Punjnad Headworks (District Muzaffargarh & Bahawalpur). Punjnad is a joining point of 5 rivers (Jehlum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej; although Beas is a dead river now). This joint stream called Punjnad or Chenab runs southwest for 50 miles and joins Indus River at Kot Mithan and makes Kot Mithan an integration point of 5 flowing rivers and forms a massive single downstream to Sindh province. Hence on the southern end of the province, Kot Mithan in District Rajanpur is a highly vulnerable point in Pakistan's Indus River System. As a major merger point of rivers of Pakistan, Kot Mithan (District Rajanpur) and Chachrran (District RYK) accumulate hundreds of thousands cusecs of flood water with arrival of every year's monsoon which wreaks havoc on the livelihoods and infrastructural base of the local population. This significant vulnerability nexus at Kot Mithan has always been a challenging flood management point for local authorities and humanitarian actors like currently in 2014. Vulnerability of District Rajanpur: With estimated population of 16 millions spread over 44 UCs and 534 Revenue Villages, District Rajanpur is a two-way vulnerable district threatened by riverine flood from the eastern side and relentless hill torrents from the western side. As Chenab River at Punjnad is likely to attain 6 - 7 Lac cusecs (Exceptionally High Flood) during 12th to 15th Sep. 2014; the outflow of which to merge with Indus River's own stream at Kot Mithan rings the emergency bell for the riverine communities living downstream along the Indus River in District Rajanpur and District RYK, especially during 14th to 17th Sep. 2014. Hence during these dates Kot Mithan to Guddu Barrage, a High riverine flood of 5 - 8 Lac cusecs may be expected. It alarms to ensure timely Preparedness and Early Warning at community level. Another hazard for District Rajanpur is flash flooding from western side Suleiman mountain range, which mainly depends on the rains. So district level flood fighting plans should not discount the unexpected flash floods. As per Distict Government, 83 Revenue Villages (Mauzas) of 02 Tehsils (Rajanpur and Rojhan) are likely to be affected. A population of 226,087 (39,816 in Tehsil Rajanpur and 186,271 in Tehsil Rojhan) is likely to be affected. Out of 06 flood protection bunds, 2 have been declared 'Satisfactory', 3 are 'Being Maintained' while remaining 1 "Requires Completion'. Situation at Community-Level: Population of vulnerable villages especially within the river bed has started evacuating to the safer places, although a large number is still reluctant. Villages where CBOs exist are receiving information through SMS while others are being approached via 'boat-speaker'. Flood Response Measures:  District authorities are efficiently monitoring the situation along with the local NGOs/CSOs. Under proactive initiatives by DCO, meetings to plan the response and minimize the losses are continuously in progress.  HELP Foundation is continuously monitoring the situation and visiting the potentially vulnerable sites and decaled relief points to ensure timely preparedness and assessing the situation-wise sectoral needs.  Vulnerable sites have been identified.  Warehouses established at all TMAs level.  District Flood Control Room and Tehsil Control Rooms established.  Coordination with NGOs strengthened.  HELP Foundation is actively using its Community-based Early Warning and Information Dissemination system through its Community Based Organiztions (CBOs).  Emergency Information Center established jointly by District Government and HELP Foundation and playing active role in disseminating latest flood information. Early Warning through SMS is also continued. well. HELP Foundation is helping in Early Warning through 'boat-speaker' within the river bed. Humanitarian Assistance Required by District Government (initially): Life Saving Jackets = 150 Life Saving Rings = 40 Tents = 3,000 Blankets = 3,000 Kitchen Sets = 3,000 Hygiene Kits = 3,000 Jerry Cans = 3,000 Buckets = 3,000 Mosquito Nets = 3,000 Plastic Sets = 800 On 9th Sep. District Government held a coordination meeting (chaired by HELP Foundation) with NGOs and sought their support in the response efforts. HELP Foundation, NRSP, Qatar Charity, Save the Children, Muslim Aid, Plan Pakistan, MDO, RHDN, ADO, Tremit Sanjh, Rohi, IKK, Sangtani and MWF attended the meeting and promised their support in sectors like Shelter, EFSL, WASH, Drinking Water etc. Areas to Focus:  Arrangements by humanitarian actors needs to be completed timely to cope with any potential disaster while ensuring the quality of data management.  Flood protection bunds which need to be maintained should be given due attention to meet the flood protection needs of the neighboring communities.  Pre-flood arrangements for the displaced persons seem to lack gender and age aspects. Shelter, Food and Water & Sanitation assistance must be planned on the basis of the potential needs of women and children especially.  District Government has established 09 Relief Camps (04 in Tehsil Rajanpur and 05 in Tehsil Rojhan). HELP Foundation has established 01 relief camp of 50 tents at Government Higher Secondary School, Kot Mithan.  Relevant officers and more than 400 Volunteers are engaged in Early Warning at field level as Issued by: HELP Foundation, District Rajanpur  Preparations for healthcare especially to treat cases of gastroenteritis, fever and skin diseases should be completed timely.  Coordination mechanism should strengthened to synchronize the response. *** Page 1 of 1