Thousands of people are stranded in the lower districts of Sindh, where rains have triggered devastating floods.
Express 24/7 correspondent Shaheryar Mirza reported that 99% of all crop in Badin has been completely destroyed by the floods. He added that search and rescue operations in the area are underway and according to Navy officials, about 500 people have been rescued. Some families in the area, however, are yet to be rescued.
Mirza reported that rescue efforts over the last six days have been concentrated on Badin, whereas Tando Mohammad Khan, Mirpur Khas and Thatta have also been affected.
Workers at relief centres in these areas said they do not have enough resources to provide adequate aid to the displaced and affected persons. They added that they are trying to contain the spread of skin disease and diarrhea, that have occurred in the aftermath of the floods.
On Thursday, National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza candidly acknowledged the lack of facilities such as food, water, health and hygiene at camps. “There are many more (IDPs) living under the open sky on roads. The district government doesn’t have the resources to fend for itself.”
She held the national and provincial disaster management authorities responsible. “They have failed to take up their responsibility,” she said vehemently.
Edhi visits flood-hit Sindh
Renowned social worker and Founder of Edhi Foundation Abdur Sattar Edhi paid a visit to the rain-ravaged areas of district Badin and Tando Muhammad Khan on Thursday.
Talking to media, he said that the people of the rural areas were worst affected by the devastation caused by the recent torrential rains.
He said that the aid so far provided to the victims was from citizens and not from the government. He said that Pakistan is rich in natural resources, but needs honest leadership to use these resources.
He said that the elimination of corruption would open doors for a genuine development in the country.
He also announced to provide an extra ambulance for the Edhi Centre of Matli
COMMENTS (5)
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The problem is dams in the first place. Dams have impeded the flow of the Indus and its tributaries, destroying forests in floodplains. Now there is nothing to hold the water, no root systems to guide it. Any rainfall and it flows, washing away more topsoil. Not to mention the havoc played with the delta, causing coastal flooding and destroying the livelihood of millions.
All over the developed world, dams are being dismantled to recover the ecology. That is the need of the hour in Pakistan--*break the dams*. Stop planting water rich crops such as cotton and sugarcane, and plant sorghum, millet, etc. and fruit trees that are more robust and can rely on rainfall, and also feed the people rather than the rich who benefit from exports. Line canals and introduce drip agriculture.
am sure our all weather friend China will be right there to help us
@Devika khan your point of view is right up to some extend. Pakistan doesn't need a long process to go as you mentioned. what we are lacking are the Dams, to be built. Here all the flooding water is allowed to speared in the flood plain area's, and to destroy most poor people in remote area's. Need of the hour is just to built up 1 or 2 bigger and some small dams and all this problem would be vanished and this the most comprehensive approach towards mitigation of a disaster, that Pakistan faces regularly.
"The district government doesn’t have the resources to fend for itself.” But we have resources to make nuclear bombs and feed the biggest army. We do not have money to feed the poor people and provide them shelter, but have much resources to send VIPs to Mecca on honeymoon. Some neighbors will take away this country along with our strategic assets if we reduce our defence expenditure. Even Allah cannot save this country unless people start a revolution.
As an environmentalist and following a global change in weather patterns. Pakistan has experienced its second flood within a span of a year. The basic skills of safety would be to teach children to swim to safety and building temporary bridges with bamboo; poles and ropes to help people cross safety at points. Boats with safety jackets should be used. If they find nothing else tires and tubes can be used to move to safer location.s Plastic tubs and tubes to could be used. Safer to move to higher grounds and return later.