Local responses to too much and too little water in the greater Himalayan region
A very intense rainfall event triggered a flash flood in Shishikoh, causing substantial damage to agricultural fields
cultivable lands. Loss of productive land and poor Less water for domestic use
productivity, due to flash floods and debris fall, have led
to food insecurity.
Vulnerability of women – The depletion of water
sources, such as springs and perennial streams in
Higher prices – The destruction of Chitral’s meagre
Mulkhow has seriously reduced the availability of water
communication infrastructure by frequent flash floods
for domestic use, which has resulted in poor health
contributes to price increases for consumable items in
and hygiene, especially among children and women.
village shops making the communities more vulnerable to
The shortage of water has also limited the social lives
potential hazards. Transporters charge more than usual
of women as they often cannot wash their clothes,
during the flood season because, after flash floods, they
which constrains their participation in social events and
usually repair and maintain the main communication
confines them to their households.
road that passes through Shishikoh.
Responses to Floods and Droughts
Loss of livestock – Both flash floods and drought affect
livestock. Water stresses and hazards negatively affect
The communities have always responded to water stress
the livestock sector due to a shortage of fodder. Animals,
and have developed traditional responses that include
especially cattle and goats, are lost in flash floods or
irrigation structures, water harvesting, and community
droughts and, after the extreme events, may become
management mechanisms. Responses to water-induced
susceptible to various diseases, start losing weight, and
hazards are more specific to drought in Mulkhow and
die due to limited availability of fodder.
to flash floods in Shishikoh. People at both study sites
diversify their livelihoods with migration for employment,
and have similar responses to impacts on livestock.
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