Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts of Flood 2010 in Lower Dir District and Mitigation Measures

Abstract

The catastrophic flood of 2010 in District Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, was a major natural disaster that caused widespread devastation. This study investigates the flood's underlying origins, repercussions, and recovery efforts. The research cites numerous aspects that contributed to the disaster, including record monsoon rainfall, deforestation, and inadequate water management infrastructure. The flood devastated agricultural, infrastructure, and local livelihoods, displacing hundreds of people and causing a significant economic collapse. The study utilizes qualitative and quantitative analysis to emphasize the immediate and long-term environmental and socioeconomic implications on Lower Dir's population. It also evaluates the efficiency of recovery efforts implemented by the government and non-governmental organizations in returning to normalcy. The study makes proposals for strengthening flood resilience through greater disaster planning, community-based risk management, and sustainable development practices to reduce future hazards. The results of study also help researchers, policy makers and managers for practical applications to mitigate floods in future.

Keywords: Floods, Natural Disaster, Deforestation, Socio-Economic Impacts, Displacement, Disaster Planning, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community – based risk management.