‘500,000 families affected by floods in Sindh’
Villagers carry goats away from their flooded homes in Badin. Recent monsoon rains have left scores of villages submerged across Sindh, while the swelling Indus River has created the threat of further flooding in the province. PHOTO: PPI
Recent rains and ensuing floods have affected approximately 500,000 families, comprising around 2.5 million people, and destroyed one million acres of agricultural land in Sindh, said Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference, Wahab said rains had wreaked havoc in 20 districts of Sindh this monsoon season and they had been declared "disaster prone."
"We are now carrying out relief work in all disaster-stricken areas," he assured.
He further said that as part of relief efforts, people affected by rains and floods were being provided food and relief camps had been set up in calamity-hit regions.
"This is a difficult time, and in this time of crisis, the prime minister shouldn't only visit the affected areas but takes practical measures for the rehabilitation of people," Wahab remarked, adding that the Sindh government had asked the federal government to waive agricultural loans as well.
Admitting that many areas were still submerged in water, he said the Provincial Disaster Management Authority and other relevant authorities were carrying out relief work in those regions.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2020.