Over a million people affected by floods in Pakistan: NDMA

Since the flash floods started ravaging the country, 166 people have been killed and 128 injured


Faraz Khan/web Desk August 06, 2015
A man carries his belongings as he wades through a flooded area in Nowshera district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. PHOTO: AFP

Over a million people have been affected by floods across Pakistan so far, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Thursday.

Since the flash floods started ravaging various parts of the country in mid-July, at least 166 people have been killed and 128 injured. Besides, 8,471 houses and 2,976 villages have also been damaged by the floods.

Currently, Taunsa and Guddu barrages are facing a high-level flood, whereas, Kalabagh, Tarbela, Chahsma, Kotri and Nowshera are experiencing medium-level flooding.

Tarbela dam has already reached its capacity of 1,550 feet. On the other hand, Mangala is just short of its capacity – 1,242 feet – by six feet.

According to details provided by the NDMA, 13 people were killed in Balochistan, 79 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 42 in Punjab, 23 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, seven in Gilgit-Baltistan, and two in FATA.

Read: Met office predicts more rains, floods across Pakistan

Responding to the disastrous situation, NDMA provided around 70,000 tents to the victims across the country. Also, rations packs, 1,500 tarpaulins, 8,913 blankets, 700,000 aqua tablets and 124 tons of mineral water have also been distributed to the affectees, Radio Pakistan reported.

In Punjab and Sindh, 154,140 and 583,096 people were evacuated respectively from flood-hit areas. According to the authority, 757 relief camps were established across the country to facilitate and provide safe haven to the flood-affected population.

Balochistan

Providing details of the damage wrought by floods, in Balochistan at least 13 people have been killed while 33 have been injured. As many as 798 houses have been damaged by the floods. However, the NDMA has not released the number of people affected by the floods in the province, but 383 tents and 8.4 tonnes of ration have been distributed among flood affectees.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

At least 79 people have been killed, while the flash floods left 70 people injured. Around 3,320 houses have been damaged along with a number of villages affected. So far, 3,614 tents and 385.53 tonnes of ration have been distributed distributed with eight relief camps established.

Punjab

In Punjab, 42 people have been killed and 12 injured. Around 3,058 houses were damaged in 496 villages with 367,929 people affected. Some 154,140 people have been evacuated to safer areas with 394 relief camps hosting 17,404 people. The government has provided 37,800 tents and 3,138 tonnes of ration to flood affected people.

Sindh

Although there have been no reports of deaths from floods in Sindh so far, around 583,096 people in 2,177 villages have been affected by the floods there. Some of the affected people have been shifted into 349 relief camps. The pdma has also distributed 24,159 tents and 642.39 tonnes of ration have been distributed.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, while attending a Command and Staff Conference in Islamabad, directed concerned officials to to continue monitoring the flood situation, and make utmost efforts for rescue efforts by judiciously utilising the deployed assets and resources  to provide much needed assistance to flood victims.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir

At least 23 people were killed and five injured because of floods in AJK, whereas, 321 houses were damaged, and 17 villages were left affected. Around 3,000 tents were given here to establish camps.

Gilgit Baltistan

In Gilgit-Baltistan, at least seven people were killed and six injured. As many as 812 houses were damaged in 286 villages affecting 136,000 people. Around 3,380 tents and 21.5 tonnes of ration were distributed in the region.

FATA

At least two people were killed and two injured by the floods that also left 162 houses damaged in the region.

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