14/08/2026
URGENT HUMANITARIAN APPEAL
Flash Flood Devastation in Karimabad Valley, Lower Chitral, Pakistan
A catastrophic flash flood triggered by an intense cloudburst has devastated the Karimabad Valley in Lower Chitral, severely affecting the heritage village of Hassanabad and the surrounding villages of Kherchum and Sewakhat.
The disaster has caused extensive damage to homes, agricultural land, orchards, forests, irrigation systems, drinking water supply schemes, drainage networks, roads, bridges, footpaths, and other critical public infrastructure. Many families have lost their homes, livelihoods, livestock, crops, and access to essential services. Several communities remain isolated due to the destruction of transport and communication links.
We urgently appeal to the Government of Pakistan, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, NDMA, PDMA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, humanitarian agencies, United Nations organizations, development partners, national and international NGOs, private sector partners, and philanthropic organizations to provide immediate assistance for emergency response, relief, early recovery, and long-term rehabilitation.
Priority Actions
Conduct immediate search, rescue, and evacuation operations where required.
Provide emergency food, safe drinking water, temporary shelter, medical care, hygiene kits, and psychosocial support to affected families.
Restore roads, bridges, irrigation channels, water supply systems, drainage networks, electricity, and communication services.
Undertake a comprehensive multi-sector Damage and Needs Assessment covering housing, infrastructure, agriculture, livelihoods, education, health, water resources, forests, biodiversity, and cultural heritage.
Carry out detailed technical assessments of fruit orchards, agricultural lands, forests, watersheds, river systems, and irrigation infrastructure to determine environmental and economic losses.
Develop a resilient recovery and reconstruction programme based on the principles of "Build Back Better," ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation, and community participation.
A Call for Accountability and Resilient Development
Despite more than three decades of significant investments in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, mountain communities in Chitral continue to face repeated devastation from climate-induced disasters. This tragic event calls for an independent evaluation of previous programmes to identify lessons learned, strengthen accountability, and ensure that future investments effectively reduce disaster risks.
As one of Chitral's important heritage villages, Hassanabad deserved greater protection through integrated disaster risk management, watershed conservation, resilient infrastructure, and heritage-sensitive planning. The extensive destruction now witnessed demonstrates the urgent need to mainstream disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, and cultural heritage conservation into all future development initiatives.
The people of Karimabad Valley require not only emergency relief but also sustained support to rebuild safer communities, restore livelihoods, conserve their natural environment, and protect their unique cultural heritage for future generations.
For coordination, technical information, and collaboration, please contact:
Syed Harir Shah
Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Resilience and Regenerative Tourism Specialist
Founder & Chairman, Centre for Disaster Risk and Climate Change (Pvt.) Ltd.
Founder, President & CEO, Chitral Travel Bureau (CTB)
Chitral, Pakistan
Mobile: +92 348 9163100
