EFFECTIVENESS OF FLOOD EARLY WARNING SYSTEM IN THE AFFECTED COMMUNITIES OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

Abstract

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of Flood Early Warning system in the affected communities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were selected as the study to achieve the objectives. The key objectives of this research paper to review the flood situation and existing flood early warning system and its role in flood management in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. To assess and analyze the perspectives of local experts and communities in the four affected communities (Swat, Charsadda, Nowshera and D. I Khan) regarding the success and failures of early warning system. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources. The primary sources are includes sampling, interviews and FGDs. The secondary data sources are stakeholders, line agencies PMD, FFD, NDMA, PDMA, DDMA and local administration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The major findings highlights the proportion of communities not receiving warnings from 53% to 60%, indicating serious gaps in warning outreach. Similarly, Charsadda and Nowshera showed high agricultural land exposure (22–25%), while D.I. Khan had 15% crops and animals at risk, threatening rural livelihoods. The effectiveness of FEW in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa can be improved by solving these issues faced by the flood management organizations and line agencies to improve FEWS in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan