By : IHSANULLAH
Floods are among the most devastating and frequent natural disasters globally, and their intensity and frequency have risen sharply due to climate change. In countries like Pakistan, where adaptive capacity and infrastructural resilience are limited, the consequences of flooding are particularly severe. This article presents an in-depth systematic review of flood-related research in Pakistan, offering insights into trends, thematic priorities, institutional collaborations, and future research directions.
The study is based on a dataset of 601 peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2022 and retrieved from the Scopus database. Using bibliometric and thematic analysis, the study synthesizes scholarly output over the past decade, identifies the evolution of key research areas, and highlights gaps in current literature.
Background: The Urgency of Flood Research in Pakistan
Pakistan has endured some of the most catastrophic flooding events in modern history, most notably the 2010 super floods and the 2022 monsoon floods. The 2010 floods affected nearly 20 million people, caused nearly 2,000 deaths, and led to economic damages exceeding $9.7 billion. The 2022 floods were even more severe in terms of geographical impact, affecting 33 million people, killing over 1,000, and damaging 2 million homes and vast agricultural lands. Despite being responsible for only a tiny fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan ranks among the countries most affected by climate change.
Floods in Pakistan are both a result of natural climatic patterns and anthropogenic activities, such as poor land-use planning, deforestation, and encroachment onto riverbeds. This complex interaction of human and environmental factors makes flood research inherently multidisciplinary. Yet, there has been no comprehensive study that synthesizes the state of academic literature in this domain—until now.
Methodology: Mapping the Landscape of Flood Research
The authors conducted a longitudinal, exploratory literature review combining bibliometric and thematic analysis. Articles were identified through a keyword-based search using the query “flood∗ AND Pakistan” in Scopus, covering English-language articles from 2010 to 2022. After applying the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology to remove duplicates and irrelevant literature, 75 articles were selected for in-depth thematic analysis.
Bibliometric tools such as VOSviewer and ArcGIS were used for keyword mapping, citation analysis, and network visualization. Data was analyzed at micro (authors), meso (journals/institutions), and meta (disciplines) levels.
Thematic Analysis: Core Research Themes
The thematic analysis revealed a wide range of interconnected topics that reflect the multifaceted impacts of floods. These themes were clustered into several categories:
- Social Vulnerability and Gender
Studies highlight the disproportionate impact of floods on marginalized groups, particularly women and children. Research has also explored gender-based vulnerability and the role of social capital in coping strategies. - Livelihood and Food Security
Many studies examined how floods disrupt agricultural systems, income sources, and food supply chains. Resilience-building strategies in rural and agrarian communities were a central concern. - Risk Perception and Communication
Research explored how individuals and communities perceive flood risks and how these perceptions shape their responses. A significant focus has been placed on early warning systems and communication barriers. - GIS and Remote Sensing
A rapidly growing body of work applies Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite imagery, and remote sensing for flood hazard mapping, vulnerability assessments, and emergency planning. - Policy, Governance, and Institutional Gaps
Studies critiqued the fragmented institutional frameworks managing disaster risk. Emphasis was placed on the lack of coordination among government agencies, NGOs, and international donors. - Health and Infrastructure
Floods severely impact public health infrastructure. Research has addressed disease outbreaks, disruption of healthcare services, and loss of critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and power grids. - Flood Risk Reduction and Adaptation
There is increasing interest in integrating flood risk reduction (FRR) with broader climate change adaptation (CCA) strategies. Studies called for more robust policies, including both structural (dams, levees) and non-structural (land-use planning, education) measures.
Research Gaps and LimitationsDespite the breadth of research, several gaps remain:
- Economic and Institutional Analysis is underexplored. Quantifying indirect economic losses and analyzing governance issues is critical for informed policymaking.
- Technological Innovations like machine learning and big data analytics are still in their infancy in the flood research context of Pakistan.
- Longitudinal and Impact Studies are rare. Most research focuses on post-disaster assessments rather than long-term resilience-building.
- Lack of Integration Across Disciplines. Few studies connect ecological, social, economic, and technical aspects to provide holistic solutions.
Recommendations for Future Research
Based on the analysis, the study offers several recommendations to guide future research:
- Expand Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Encourage research that integrates social sciences with engineering, computer science, and economics to develop holistic solutions. - Prioritize Socioeconomic and Institutional Dimensions
Conduct in-depth studies on the political economy of flood management, budget allocations, institutional coordination, and community engagement. - Strengthen Climate Adaptation Frameworks
Embed flood resilience into national and provincial adaptation plans and sustainable development strategies. - Adopt Emerging Technologies
Leverage artificial intelligence, real-time data analytics, and mobile platforms to enhance early warning systems and response planning. - Promote Inclusive Policy Design
Ensure that flood risk reduction policies are inclusive, gender-sensitive, and responsive to the needs of vulnerable groups.
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