The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is situated in South Asia, the seat of one of the earliest known civilizations "the Indus valley civilization". It lies between latitudes 24 and 37 degrees North and longitudes 62 and 75 degrees east covering a total land area of 6,774 km. Pakistan shares its borders with Iran on the west, India in the southeast, Afghanistan in the north-west, and China in the north. The Arabian Sea lies to its south. It has the world's second highest mountain, the K2.

Pakistan is a land of great topographic and climatic contrasts. It is geographically divided into three areas: the northern highlands, the Indus river plains and the Baluchistan plateau. Pakistan has four seasons, winter, spring, summer and winter. The monsoons are between July and August

Vulnerability to Natural Hazards:

Pakistan is vulnerable to most of the natural hazards. It is prone to floods, earthquakes, droughts, cyclonic storms, locust invasion and epidemics. Being densely populated the impact of these natural phenomenon is felt more.

Floods:

Floods are by far the most frequent. It occurs during the monsoon period of July to September due to heavy rain in the plains and the catchment area of the rivers. With the swelling of the rivers heavy flooding occurs causing great destruction to lives and livelihoods.

Earthquakes:

Pakistan lies in the seismic belt and therefore suffers from frequent earthquakes of smaller magnitudes. The devastation is immense because of the poor quality of buildings.

Locust Invasion:

Pakistan lies in the seismic belt and therefore suffers from frequent earthquakes of smaller magnitudes. The devastation is immense because of the poor quality of buildings.

Links:

• National Flood Forecasting Bureau
• FAO Desert Locust Bulletin
• Pakistan Government Meteorological Department
• OCHA Situational Report
• World Bank and Pakistan