Thousands Flee as Floodwaters Threaten Pakistan's South
VOA News
05 August 2010
Thousands of people are fleeing Pakistan's most populous provinces of Punjab and Sindh, as devastating floodwaters sweep towards the country's south.
The floods have already ravaged the northwest, killing more than 1,500 people and washing away roads, bridges, and homes. The destruction has left many areas accessible only by helicopter.
The United Nations humanitarian chief in Pakistan says more than 4 million people have been affected as Pakistan faces a major catastrophe.
In Punjab and Sindh, authorities worked to evacuate more than 500,000 people using boats and helicopters.
Officials say at least 20 people were killed Thursday when a bus plunged into a rain-swollen river in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir.
The Pakistani government has been criticized for not responding fast enough to the disaster.
Rising water levels have also destroyed crops and farmland, heightening fears of a food shortage. The World Food Program says nearly two million people are in need of emergency food assistance.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says it is sending medical relief supplies to flood victims. It cites cholera, typhoid fever, shegellosis and other diarrheal diseases as the main immediate risks.
The U.S. embassy in Islamabad says U.S. military helicopters began flying relief missions to Pakistan's northwest on Thursday, dropping relief supplies and evacuating more than 800 people from Kalam in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. The six helicopters came from neighboring Afghanistan.
The embassy said Thursday the United States has pledged an additional $25 million in aid to Pakistan, bringing total assistance to $35 million. The money will be given to local and international groups to provide food, water and shelter to flood victims.
The head of Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority, Nadeem Ahmad, on Thursday defended the government's relief efforts, saying the scope of the disaster was beyond expectations and poor weather initially hampered rescue efforts.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari continued his visit to Britain on Thursday, despite coming under criticism for making the trip to Europe.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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