Floods caused losses worth $43b: Gilani

Flood victims walk through floodwaters in Shikarpur, as they go back to their homes in Jacobabad. PHOTO: REUTERS

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said the unprecedented floods have caused losses worth $43 billion to the country.

Addressing the federal cabinet, the prime minister said around 1,000 bridges and 4,000 km of roads were damaged by the water.

He added that Wapda and Pepco alone have suffered losses of Rs13 billion due to the natural catastrophe which has also left 20 million people dependant on the government for help.

Flood reaches the Arabian Sea

After flowing downstream for two weeks, the flood waters are now making their way into the Arabian Sea.

However, the coastal areas of Jati and Shah Bandar are under threat after a breach in the Kot Almo embankment.

Flood water is about 12 kilometres away from Chauhar Jamali in Shah Bandar after inundating an 8 km portion of the Thatta-Badin Highway.

About 40 per cent of the residents of Jati and about 20 per cent of the residents residents of Shah Bandar have moved to safer locations.

Some areas still under threat

Meanwhile the floods have submerged another twenty villages in Dadu and Qambar-Shahdadkot.

The flood torrent from Shahdadkot hit villages in Wara and Nasirabad areas, while Mehar road near Gaji Khawar has also been affected.

As the breach in Bada drain widens, water is now heading towards nearby settlements.

While, Wara city is under threat by floods, tensions persist between the administration and politicians on the issue of cutting the Dhamra canal.

Meanwhile the road link from Jacobabad to other areas has still not been restored.

Relief efforts in South Punjab

Delivery of aid to the flood-affected areas has been severely hampered due to suspension of road links in South Punjab.

The worst-hit areas are Taunsa, Rojhan and Jampur, which are submerged under four to five feet of water.

Several aid trucks have also been stranded in flood waters on the Multan-Dera Ghazi Khan Road.

In spite of these logistical problems, the Pakistan Army and other aid organisations are working to provide relief to the flood-stricken.