Monsoon flood risks in urban areas of Pakistan: A way forward for risk reduction and adaptation planning. (15th June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zia, Azka; Rana, Irfan Ahmad; Arshad, Hafiz Syed Hamid; Khalid, Zainab; Nawaz, Adnan
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 336(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-06-15
• Subjects: Adaptation planning -- Urban flooding -- Preparedness -- Coping capacity -- Adaptive capacity; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117652
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Climate change poses a significant threat to sustainable urban development. Heavy rainfall has led to severe urban flooding, disrupting human life and causing widespread damage. This study aims to examine the impacts, preparedness, and adaptation strategies related to monsoon flooding in Lahore, Pakistan's second-most populous metropolitan area. Using Yamane's sampling method, a total of 370 samples were surveyed and analyzed using descriptive analysis and chi-square tests. The results indicate that houses and parks were the most commonly damaged properties, with common impacts including roof collapse, house fires, seepage, and wall dampness. These impacts not only caused physical damage but also disrupted basic amenities and damaged roads, resulting in significant socioeconomic costs. Despite these challenges, residents adopted a variety of adaptation strategies such as the use of temporary tarps, moving household appliances to upper floors, and shifting to tiled floors and wall paneling to mitigate damage. However, the study highlights the need for further measures to reduce flood risks and promote adaptation planning in order to effectively address the ongoing challenges posed by climate change and urban flooding. Highlights: Climate change has exacerbated the severity of monsoon rains. Pakistan is highly vulnerable to impacts of climate change and disasters. Houses and household properties are the most affected by monsoon flooding. Households have adopted various measures to mitigate flood impacts.