Tragic toll from the floods in Pakistan – Almost 1,000 dead and 33 million people displaced – See video and photos

August 27, 2022

Robert

Almost half of Pakistan is under water and the government has declared a state of emergency to deal with monsoon floods

Flooding caused by devastating monsoon rains in much of Pakistan has killed nearly 1,000 people and injured and displaced thousands more since June, officials said.

According to the Guardian newspaper, the new death toll came a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for international aid to deal with the flood disasters. More than 33 million people have been displaced.

Nearly half of Pakistan is under water and the government has declared a state of emergency to deal with monsoon floods, which began in June and continue to wreak havoc across Pakistan.

The National Disaster Management Authority, in its latest overnight report, said 45 people were killed in flood-related incidents from Friday to Saturday. Thus, the number of dead since mid-June has reached 982 and the number of injured to 1,456.

Many parts of Pakistan have become inaccessible and rescuers are struggling to evacuate thousands of trapped people from the affected areas. The provinces of Balochistan and Sindh are the areas facing the biggest problems.

Videos shared on social media showed bridges, roads and hotels submerged in water and people running to evacuate their homes. The army has been called in for rescue assistance in the province.

Deputy Commissioner Swat said on Friday that 130 kilometers of roads were damaged and 15 bridges were completely destroyed as the flood wreaked havoc, while more than 100 houses and at least 50 hotels and restaurants were also damaged.

Former prime minister Imran Khan has come under fire for a planned rally on Saturday in Jhelum, in northern Punjab province, amid devastating floods. Khan was criticized for his refusal to raise funds for flood relief during his visit to the flood-affected areas.

Khan has been holding rallies across the country since April, when he was removed from power in a constitutional vote of no confidence. He is demanding new elections and has criticized the military and the West for ousting him.