National Disaster Response Plan (NDRP) March 2010 - NDMA

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some distance inland with resultant pounding in some areas. This causes damage to standing crops
and converts agricultural land to swamp and saline land, which is not cultivable. In addition, tropical
cyclones, storm surges and strong winds can destroy human settlements, damage electrical and
communication installations and damage seasonal crops. Climate change has increased the
frequency and intensity of cyclones and storm surges. The changes in tracks of storms have impacted
the socio-economic development of the area.
7. Mountainous communities in the northern areas are characterized by remoteness, isolation,
harsh climatic conditions, scattered population, and very few or no communication facilities. Their
vulnerability is further compounded by deforestation, which leads to frequent soil erosion and
landslides, the impact of which is increased immediately after the disaster because road links are cut
off and communities become more isolated. About one third of the population lives in poverty and
most poor people live in hazard-prone areas. Their capacity to fight against disasters is almost non-
existent. Since disaster risk reduction is not their priority, they suffer most in disasters.
8. Factors Leading to Vulnerability
a. Population Growth. The population of Pakistan has grown by 325 percent since
1947. The growth of population has negatively affected the socioeconomic
development of the country. Resultantly most of the population has settled in the areas
that are more vulnerable to different types of hazards like floods, fires, epidemics and
chemical explosions etc.
b. Unplanned Industrialization and Migration. Rural-to-urban migration has
resulted in the uneven growth of urban centres in Pakistan. Changes in consumption
patterns, lifestyles in cities and demand for better services has led to increased
pressure on natural resources. Growing industrialization requires more water, timber,
and other natural resources. All this has augmented stress on natural resources and
degraded the environment through cutting of trees, land erosion, which is the main
cause of landslides, depletion of groundwater, and industrial waste, pollution in the
river and sea. Landslides and floods impact increase if deforestation and land erosion.
The clearing of mangrove forests in the Arabian Sea and reduction of fresh water
discharge to the sea has led to seawater intrusion in the coastal part of Sindh.
c. High Dependency on Agriculture and Livestock. Agriculture and livestock are
main sources of income particularly in floods and drought prone areas of Pakistan as
there is no visible diversity in their livelihoods. Therefore, the impact of floods and
drought is very high for these communities. When they are hit by any disaster, their
recovery takes unusually longer time. Disaster-impact-assessment studies indicate that
these communities suffer more from floods because of agriculture-based livelihoods.
d. Poverty in Hazard-Prone Areas. Poverty is one of the main factors of vulnerability,
exposing people and communities to disasters. Poverty reduces the capacities of the