Pakistani authorities carried out the evacuation of the people living alongside expanding rivers today as torrential rain threatened to affect the relief efforts. According to Pakistani government, around 13 million people have been affected by flood, believed to be the worst in the country's 63-year history. About 1,500 people have died so far.
Fresh rains hampered aid efforts and rescue workers are afraid it may create more trouble for people affected by the floods. Helicopters which were engaged in rescue efforts were grounded in the northwest today due to heavy rain. New downpours lashed the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today and more rain is predicted for tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani today visited the flood-hit areas of Sindh province. Talking to reporters after his tour to the flood-hit region, the Pakistani premier urged the global community to provide aid to Islamabad as the disaster had spiraled beyond the capacity of the Pakistani government.
"Millions of people have suffered and still there is more rain and further losses are feared. I appeal to the world to help us, we are doing what we can," Gilani told reporters. "The government has done everything possible but it is beyond our capacity, we are facing an extremely difficult situation," he added.
The main road linking Peshawar to Charsadda was closed by authorities today. People living in the Swat valley are complaining about severe food and fuel shortages as several villages are totally cut off. "We are facing severe shortage of food. There is no petrol in the pumps and no food in the shops, the government is doing nothing for us," said Malik AmirZada, a resident in the area.
