Humanitarian situation deteriorates further over past two weeks as heavy rains continue to cause flooding and landslides: OCHA
By Web Desk
August 27, 2022
ISLAMABAD: Flash floods triggered by “above-normal” monsoon rains continue to wreak havoc across Pakistan, leaving various cities and villages submerged, crippling life and claiming around 1,000 lives since mid June.
As per the latest statistics, around 982 people lost their lives, 1,456 suffered injuries, 802,583 livestock died, and 682,139 houses collapsed due to the floods and downpours.
In addition to this, 498,833 people are compelled to live in relief camps established by the government while 48,931 were rescued. The flash floods have affected 5.7 million population as of August 27.
Mohmand Dam project to face delay in completion
Dr Kazim Niaz, the federal secretary water resources, and WAPDA Chairman Sajjad Ghani on Saturday visited the Mohmand Dam Project to review the situation following unprecedented flood peaks in River Swat, Radio Pakistan reported.
The officials were briefed about the aftermath of flood and the loss to different components of the project.
The loss and its aftereffects will further impact the timelines of the project’s completion.
WAPDA Chairman directed the project management to devise a contingency plan to overcome possible delays in the completion of the project.
Mohmand Dam is being constructed on River Swat in District Mohmand of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Army continues rescue operation in Sindh
Troops of Pakistan Army are currently engaged in providing relief and rescue services to flood victims across areas in Sindh including Sanghar, Kot Shahdadpur and Jam Nawaz Ali, Tando Allah Yar. Mitiari, Hyderabad, Thatta, Tharparkar, Dadu, the Inter-Services Public Relations noted.
More than 10 villages sink in Nushki
More than 10 villages in Nushki have submerged following the over-flooding of the canal.
Nushki district’s Dak area was severely flooded and residents of the area have taken shelter on mudslides.
Relief teams are reaching the post office in Dak and rescue operation is initiated for trapped residents of the area, according to the administration.
Electricity also remains suspended in Nushki and adjacent areas for the last two days, which has triggered a severe water crisis.
Nawaz urges workers to help flood victims
PML-N’s supremo Nawaz Sharif said “politics can wait” and has urged all the party workers to help flood affectees.
Imran Khan to hold international telethon for flood victims on Monday
PTI Chairperson Imran Khan will be conducting an international telethon on Monday night to raise funds flood victims.
“Imran Tigers will be activated to volunteer for relief work,” he said, announcing the development on Twitter.
But Khan also clarified that PTI’s campaign for “Haqeeqi Azadi” will continue alongside their flood relief work.
FM Bilawal lashes out at Opposition
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has lashed out at Opposition for prioritising a political gathering rather than worrying about flood victims.
“Our priority is to stand with flood victims,” he said, stressing on the need to ensure provision of relief to those in need.
“Sindh is the most-affected province with 80,000 families migrating from Larkana alone,” he said, adding that affectees are moving toward drier locations.
Shedding light on his future plans, the foreign minister said that reconstruction and rehabilitation are the medium- and long-term plans of the Sindh government.
He further added that the provincial government is hopeful of receiving funds from the federal government for the Benazir Income Support Programme which will help the flood affectees.
KP flood situation
Copr Commander Lieutenant General Hasan Azhar Hayat visited Nowshehra to review flood situation, directing troops to ensure speedy relief to residents.
Approximately 315,000 cusecs of high-level flood water passing through River Kabul had submerged adjacent areas including Dhobi Ghat, Babu Muhalla, Nowshehra Kalan, and Golf Club Jinnah Bagh.
Water is flowing from Nowshehra to Khairabad. According to Nowshehra’s deputy commissioner, flooding will lessen in 2 to 3 hours.
Relief camps in Karachi
Karachi’s deputy commissioner south has established relief camps across the district, while donations and collections are being made at camps in five locations including Teen Talwar, Shaheen Complex, Lyari, Fawara Chowk, M A Jinnah Road.
UN’s situation report
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the humanitarian situation in Pakistan has deteriorated further over the past two weeks as heavy rains continue to cause flooding and landslides resulting in displacement and damage across the country.
It said that 66 districts have been officially declared to be calamity hit – 31 in Balochistan, 23 in Sindh, 9 in KP and three in Punjab.
Six more dams breach in Balochistan
At least six more dams and reservoirs were breached in several districts of Balochistan as a result of flash floods caused by heavy rains, it emerged on Saturday morning.
Different areas in Ziarat, Pishin, Mastung, Khuzdar, Bolan and other cities were inundated with flood water after the dams were breached. The incidents caused widespread devastation and claimed several lives in the areas.
Floods disrupt Internet services
Internet services have been disrupted in Chitral, Upper Dir, Donbala, Swat, Medan, Lal Qila Samarbaghdir, Tank and DI Khan due to flash flood, damage to optical fibre cable and power outage, confirmed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Taking to Twitter, the PTA said that flash floods have damaged optical fibre cable and led to power outages, due to which there is an “impact” on the services.
“PTA is monitoring the situation closely. Work is underway to fully restore services,” the telecommunication authority said.
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