Journal of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences (JEAS). Islam et al., 2020. Volume 22(1): 32-40
Open Access – Research Article
Factors Determining the Residents’ Preparedness against Natural Disasters: A Case Study of Pakistan Flood-2010
Bushra Islam 1, Shahla Nazneen 1, Ihtisham Islam 2,3, Allah Ditta 4,*,
Muhammad Khurshid 5, Muhammad Asif 6
1 Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
2 Department of Geology, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sheringal, Upper Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
3 National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
4 Department of Environmental Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sheringal, Upper Dir, KPK, Pakistan
5 Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Haripur, Haripur, 22620, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
6 Government Primary School Allahabad, Khanewal, Punjab, Pakistan
Abstract: The present study was conducted to explore the factors responsible for residents’ preparedness against flood-2010 in selected union councils of District Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Extensive field surveys were carried out in the study area and quantitative and qualitative data were collected through pre-designed questionnaires. The results showed that rural communities have reduced resilience against the flood devastation due to limited livelihood options and lack of resources. Primary livelihood sources like livestock farming, agriculture, and personal business were severely affected by floods. According to the vulnerability analysis, widows (33%), physical disability (20%) and children (47%) were the most vulnerable segments of society. Moreover, poor infrastructure developments and limited access to social services further worsened the situation. Based on this research study, it is recommended that an early warning system, diverse and reliable livelihood options, and infrastructure development are needed to decrease the vulnerability of the locals towards natural disasters.
Keywords: Flood-2010; socio-economic effects; Charsadda; monsoon floods; vulnerability.
*Corresponding author: Allah Ditta: ad_abs@yahoo.com; allah.ditta@sbbu.edu.pk
Cite this article as: Islam, B., S. Nazneen, I. Islam, A. Ditta, M. Khurshid and M. Asif. 2020. Factors determining the residents’ preparedness against natural disasters: A case study of Pakistan Flood-2010. Journal of Environmental & Agricultural Sciences. 22(1):32-40.
Copyright © Islam et al., 2020. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium provided the original author and source are appropriately cited and credited.
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