Unforeseen Disaster, Unprecedented Suffering

In late July 2010, Pakistan northern region received heavy monsoonal rainfall which caused recorded flooding in the history. It claimed around 2000 human lives leaving millions homeless and submerging many hectares of fertile land (BBC, Oxfam, Alertnet, Wikipedia). Due to large devastating impact, the UN Secretary termed it ‘a slow-motion tsunami’. Likewise, a cloudburst hit Leh region in Jammu and Kashmir, India and killed 100 people. A large mudslide occurred in Zhoqu county, north western china and claimed 1500 lives which is very uncommon place for such event. Other himalyan countries like Nepal, Bhutan and downstream country Bangladesh also experienced floods.
 

A discussion "Unforeseen Disaster, Unprecedented Suffering” was run in ICIMOD’s discussion list [Disasterpreparedness] from 1^st to 25^th September 2010. Participants were asked to share their views and thoughts on following two questions.

1. How can marginalised people cope with extreme unforeseen events such as the recent floods in Pakistan and the cloudbursts in the rain shadow areas of Leh?
2. What is the role of information and its dissemination in ensuring timely and effective disaster relief and rehabilitation?

Source: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/08/continuing_pakistani_floods.html

The Discussion report of this discussion is available here.

http://www.icimod.org/?opg=949&document=2022

You can also join the discussion group:

http://www.icimod.org/?opg=621&q=2434


You can see some images of the event.
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/08/continuing_pakistani_floods.html