-At least 458 children among 1,314 killed
-Water levels in Sindh lakes remain dangerously high
-PM increases BISP relief aid to Rs. 70 billion, visits NFRCC
By Anzal Amin
ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: Pakistani authorities are struggling to prevent the country’s biggest lake from bursting its banks and inundating nearby towns after unprecedented flooding, while the disaster management agency on Monday raised its toll of flood deaths by another 24.
Record monsoon rains and melting glaciers in Pakistan’s northern mountains have brought floods that have affected 33 million people and killed at least 1,314, including 458 children, Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Agency said.
The floods have followed record-breaking summer temperatures and the government and the United Nations have both blamed climate change for the extreme weather and the devastation it has brought.
Authorities on Sunday breached Pakistan’s largest freshwater lake, displacing up to 100,000 people from their homes in the hope of draining enough water to stop the lake bursting its banks and swamping more densely populated areas. But water levels in the lake, to the west of the Indus river in the southern province of Sindh, remain dangerously high. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said the government had decided to increase the flood relief assistance under Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) from the existing Rs 28 billion to Rs 70 billion.
The 2.5 times increase in the volume of the assistance programme has been made in view of the gross damages of lives, infrastructure and crops in the wake of flash floods.
Speaking during his visit to the relief camp set up in Qambar Shahdad Kot, he said the country witnessed unprecedented loss due to floods.
PM Sharif mentioned that the compensation amount of Rs 25,000 was being given to each flood-affected family to help them recover their financial losses.
He expressed concern that the cotton crop in the flood-hit areas of Sindh, which was means of livelihood for locals, was entirely damaged by floods.
He said joint efforts at the national level were need of the hour to mitigate the suffering of the flood-affected people.
He said provision of shelter to the displaced persons was direly needed, adding that the government had placed the order for the purchase of seven million tents.
Medical camps, he said, had also been set up at the relief camps to avert the spread of diseases.
The prime minister expressed gratitude to the friendly countries for extending assistance to Pakistan following the flood losses.
He said the magnitude of the disaster was bigger than the capacity of the country to effectively cope.
He urged the nation including intelligentsia and media to focus on the flood situation and set aside highlighting politics for the later times.
PM Sharif interacted with the affected people at the relief camp and distributed among them cheques of compensation money.
Meanwhile, PM also visited National Flood Response Coordination Centre (NFRCC). Deputy Chairman NFRCC and National Coordinator NFRCC welcomed the guests. Federal Ministers and other Senior Civil – Military officials were present during the visit.
A statement issued by NFRCC said PM was apprised on the functioning of NFRCC followed by recent flood situation in various flood hit areas of the country, future rain forecast for next 4 weeks and most importantly the response mechanism to mitigate challenges of affected population.
The forum was briefed in detail about rehabilitation plan to restore communication infrastructure, ensure livelihood to affected people and provision of shelter, sustenance items and medical care to displaced/ affected people.
PM directed to ensure timely and early detailed joint survey of the damages and focused relief and rehabilitation efforts as per on ground assessment of affected areas and people.
PM appreciated all out rescue and relief efforts of the Armed Forces in coordination with civil administration particularly NDMA, PDMAs and civil armed forces including Pakistan Rangers and Frontier Corps during this national calamity.
Lauding NHA, FWO and Pakistan Army Engineers for continued and speedy work to repair and carry out maintenance of communication infrastructure, PM said that our focus now must be on rehabilitation efforts to connect areas and people bringing comfort in their lives and restoring their livelihood.
PM especially appreciated Army troops for day and night work to open KKH, Baharain Bridge in Swat and Saggu bridge in DI khan.
Only through a coherent national effort we can overcome this natural disaster. The planned measures once implemented timely will contribute to well being of affected population and society at large, PM emphasised.
We must rise and rise together as ONE NATION to respond to this challenge. Though the challenge is colossal but it is also an opportunity to rise to the occasion and come out stronger, InShahAllah, PM said.
PM also thanked international community, friendly countries and organisations for reaching out to Pakistan during this crisis and making efforts to share the difficulties as global partners.
It is pertinent to mention that NFRCC has been established to serve as one window operation to synergise and articulate national flood response based on informed decision making and implementing NFRCC decisions.
