ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman warned about worsening situation in Sindh and apprised that River Indus at Kotri Barrage is in high flood with an inflow of more than 600,000 cusecs of flood water, posing a serious threat to surrounding regions. 

She highlighted that rain forecasts have predicted monsoon stretching into September all over country and lower Sindh will also receive rainfall which could prove detrimental to relief and rescue operations in area, according to a statement issued by PID.

Discussing looming health crisis, she said, “Floods have brought with it menace of water-borne diseases such as Dengue and cholera. Karachi is seeing an outbreak of Dengue as hundreds and thousands of patients are reporting daily at government and private hospitals. She said, “70 percent of onion crop along with rice and maize have been completely destroyed in country. Nearly 2 million acres of crops and orchards have been hit, according to United Nations. Right now, urgent relief in form of food, tents and medicines is being provided by NDMA and PDMAs but we need more resources to meet needs on ground. Death toll has reached 1,422 in number.

Sindh saw highest number of deaths at 594 in total and has a huge number of populations in camps. Highlighting economic losses suffered due to floods, she remarked, “Pakistan has incurred a total agricultural loss, damage to infrastructure including 6579 km of roads, 246 bridges and railway infrastructure. Around 485,922 houses have been completely damaged in Sindh highest number of houses damaged in any province. Estimates will all have to be revised when actual scale of damage is clear. “We appreciate UNSG coming here and making an unequivocal plea for humanitarian assistance to Pakistan.” It is unfortunate that all over social media and other public platforms opposition is actively exhorting all international supporters to not give aid or support via anyone but their own PTI sources.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 13 2022

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