Pakistan is currently facing the worst floods in over a decade, which have affected almost 30 million people as of now. While the death toll is approaching 1000, the authorities are doubly troubled by the political and economic turmoil going on in the country.
The Monsoon brought up with it heavy misery for Pakistan in the form of severe floods. Pakistan’s government, amid the political turmoil going on in the country, declared a national emergency due to the floods. The continuous heavy rains are constantly affecting more and more people in the country, along with the crumbling infrastructure.
The continuous rains are hampering relief as informed by the officers. The country’s climate minister Sherry Rehman said the floods have caused a “humanitarian disaster of epic proportions.”
Suffering provinces include Sindh, Balochistan, southern Punjab, southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Rajanpur district of South Punjab. The government has also suspended all telecommunication services in some provinces in order to prevent accidents. Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, is an example of one of those provinces. It is affecting more than 2 million residents.Â
Railways have also been suspended in most of the areas and flights to Quetta have been suspended.
Prime Minister Sharif issues a video message for the needy citizens and addresses the problem, he said,”The current relief operation needs 80 billion rupees ($364.4 million).”
“Hundreds of billions of rupees are required to overcome the losses as well as for rehabilitation of the victims,” he added. The Minister also urged the international community to help Pakistan in its hour of need.
Destruction
The National Disaster Management Authority of Pakistan (NDMA) has reported about the flash floods in July and August affecting at least 4.2 million people.
More than 13,000 people have been injured right now, with the death roll consistently approaching 1,000. More than 33 million have been affected in one way or the other and the infrastructure is taking a harsh bashing as well. Authorities say that over 3,000 kilometers of roads and 150 bridges have been damaged, and around 7 lakhs houses have collapsed.
The Weather Forecast of the Country has predicted more rain next week in the state.
