Pakistan: More rains predicted as flood death toll reaches 1,290

tent-1662308735150 — This aerial photograph shows makeshift tents for people displaced due to the floods after heavy monsoon rains at Sohbatpur in Jaffarabad district of Balochistan province on September 4, 2022. Image Credit: AFP

Islamabad: Meteorologists have predicted more rain in Pakistan’s flood-hit regions in the coming days.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that the upper parts of the country are likely to receive more rains. ”Rain-wind/thundershower (with isolated heavy falls) is expected in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Jhang and Faisalabad from Saturday (night) to Tuesday,” the meteorological department said.

Meanwhile, hot and humid weather is likely to continue in Sindh, Balochistan and south Punjab during the next three to four days.

boat-1662308745899 — Flood affected people use a boat to carry their belongings as they return to their homes in a flooded area following heavy monsoon rains in Rajanpur district of Punjab province on September 4, 2022. Image Credit: AFP

Over 1,200 killed including 400 children

More than 6.4 million people are in dire need of humanitarian aid after the catastrophic floods affected more than 33 million and killed nearly 1,290 people including 453 children since mid-June. Around 600,000 have crowded into relief camps as a large number of Pakistanis lost their homes in the last two and a half months. The disastrous floods after heavy monsoon rains swept away villages, crops and cattle, and damaged hundreds of kilometres of roads and bridges across all four provinces. The severe floods could cost the country more than $10 billion, according to officials. Pakistan’s army, navy and air force have mobilised their personnel and assets for relief operations across the country, evacuating more than 12,000 stranded people and delivering food and relief items to flood victims.

Pakistan’s armed forces, NDMA and government organisations, volunteers, charity and non-government organisations have all teamed up to continue relief work in flood-hit areas. The government and the UN recently issued a joint appeal for $160 million of emergency funding to assist millions affected by floods.

Dyke breached

Pakistani authorities rushed to breach the dyke in Sindh’s Manchar Lake in Sindh province to save nearby populations as the water level rose to a dangerously high level. Local authorities made a cut into the lake’s embankment on Sunday to allow excess water to escape and flow into the Indus River, said Fariduddin Mustafa, the Jamshoro district administrator.

schoolss-1662308742787 — Flood affected children attend school organised by Islamic group Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, in Sukkur, Pakistan, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. Image Credit: AP

PM vows to make floods fund transparent

Pakistan’s government has said that it intends to spend the aid money with full transparency and ensure accountability. “As per my commitment to ensure transparency, the Government has decided to get PM Flood Relief Fund audited by AGPR and a private audit firm of global standing,” Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said. The Accountant General Pakistan Revenues (AGPR) and an international-repute audit firm “will audit all incoming and outgoing funds including where and how the money is spent” and the audit reports will be made public, PM Sharif said.

donkey-1662308739249 — Displaced flood affected people walk with their donkeys loaded with their belongings as they try to reach a safer place following heavy monsoon rains in Rajanpur district of Punjab province on September 4, 2022. Image Credit: AFP

Several countries have pledged support for flood victims and are extending cash or in-kind assistance. UAE has promised AED50 million in emergency aid to Pakistan. China has pledged 400 million Yuan ($158 million) worth of assistance package for affected Pakistanis. The United States has announced $30 million worth of aid for the flood victims. The UK is providing urgent life-saving support of £15 million to Pakistan. The European Union has announced support of 2.15 million Euros worth of relief goods for flood-affected people.

Pakistan’s government is leading the humanitarian response for people in the affected areas and has pledged Rs25,000 (US$112) in immediate cash relief. Around Rs5 billion have been issued to NDMA to compensate the flood victims. The government is also providing Rs1 million (US$4,515) compensation to the families of those killed in the floods, Rs250,000 (US$1,128) for injuries and for partially damaged houses and Rs500,000 (US$2,258) for destroyed houses.