Floods breach another levee in Pakistan, sending thousands fleeing

 Thatta: Floodwaters have made another break in the levees protecting a southern Pakistani city, as thousands of residents fled for high ground and left the city nearly empty.

Both sides of the main road were crowded with people from Thatta and nearby flooded villages fleeing the floodwaters. Many had spent the night sleeping out in the open.

Hadi Baksh Kalhoro, a Thatta disaster management official, said more than 175,000 people had left the city, leaving few behind.

Some are heading for nearby towns or cities, he said, with thousands also headed for the high ground of an ancient graveyard for Muslim saints.

He said the latest levee breach, which happened on Saturday, could leave the outskirts of Thatta flooded by later in the day. 

The Pakistani Taliban have hinted they might attack foreign aid workers. The Pakistani authorities and the US have warned that militants may try and exploit the country's vulnerability.

Meanwhile, humanitarian calls to help the flood victims has attracted significant support among UAE residents, raising millions of dirhams.

"The Red Crescent is implementing procedures to ensure that all donations and collected funds are legally and ethically expended and properly distributed where needed and per set priorities," Dr Saleh M. Al Tai, Deputy Secretary General, told Gulf News.

— With inputs from Iman Sherif, Staff Reporter, and AP