Water likely to recede in Upper Sindh within two weeks: NDMA

Warns worst-hit areas could remain inundated for months.

ISLAMABAD: Water is likely to recede in a few weeks in some parts of Upper Sindh while the worst-hit areas could take months to clear, the National Disaster Management Authority said.

“The government is trying its best to cater to the challenges which emerged as a result of the floods this year,” NDMA Chairman Zafar Qadir told a press conference on Thursday.

“Since the rains have stopped over the past week, stagnant water has decreased by two feet,” he said.

He said that water is likely to dry up soon in areas of upper Sindh, including Sukkur, Khairpur, Ghotki and Naushero Feroze. On the other hand, he said, it might take around two more weeks in other areas such as Dadu and Nazirabad. However, in worst-hit areas, including Mirpurkhas, Tando Allahyar, Thatta and Badin, the water will take up to two months to dry up.

NDMA has said that some six million people in all districts of Sindh have now been affected by the floods, with 824,000 people displaced. Approximately 5.6 million flood victims are living in tents while 352 people have died so far. One million more tents are needed for relief efforts. In spite of these pressing needs, funding remains sluggish even after the appeal launched by the UN last week. With a serious lack of resources, the NDMA has yet again made an appeal to the international community to step up.

Aisamul Haq and friends contribute

Meanwhile, Tennis player and United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador Aisamul Haq was also present at the press conference and made an appeal to the people of Pakistan to contribute generously.

Aisam said that he was trying his best to collect funds from the international community. “I am willing to provide my services through Tennis and generating funds for floods this year,” he said.

The star player has collected items belonging to Tennis celebrities and plans to auction them to generate funds. These items include Tennis equipment and clothes that belong to international Tennis stalwarts such as Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic. Aisam is also expecting some goods from Rafael Nadal.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 23^rd,  2011.