ISLAMABAD-
Rescuers are battling to pull through thousands trapped by Pakistan’s worst flooding in decades which has killed at least 195 people and has left many cities submerged.
Around hundreds of villages have also been submerged since torrential monsoon rains triggered flooding and landslides across Azad Jammu & Kashmir, officials said.
“In different parts of Pakistan 193 people have been killed, with 108 villages and farmland damaged,” the National Disaster Management Authority spokesman said.
Heavy rains were easing and have stopped altogether in parts of Pakistan after floods hit Punjab, Pakistan-administered Kashmir and the northernmost territory of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Rescue efforts
Thousands of troops, police and other emergency personnel, backed by helicopters and boats, have been deployed across the state to reach those stranded, with at least 14,800 people rescued.
“Thousands of people are still stranded and we have rescued several thousands,” National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) officials said.
Army troops rescued people using boats and helicopters. 2300 people have so far been rescued from flood hit areas of Chiniot, Koty Momin, Phalia, Hafizabad, Khani, Qadirabad, Bajwat, Chaprar, Wazirabad and Mandi Bahauddin areas.
Troops are carrying out rescue operation in Multan, DG Khan, Liyyah, Sahiwal and other areas as relief camps have been set up in various areas.
Food packs were dropped by army helicopters for people trapped in floodwater at various places in Chiniot, Sialkot, Gujranwala and Mandibahauddin since start of the relief operation, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations.
The local administration has also been directed for relief and rescue operations.
PM makes a visit
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has visited some of the affected areas, the NDMA said in a statement late Sunday.
“The prime minister expressed his grief over the death and destruction caused by recent rains and floods… He assured that the government would leave no stone unturned to help the people in distress,” it added.
On Monday, he arrived in Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir to review the flood situation. He was briefed by (NDMA) officials over landsliding and damages in the area.
Flood warnings
Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Sindh has directed districts’ administrations and District Management Authorities to remain alert regarding flood warning for river Indus at Guddu and Sukkur on September 15.
Also, a heavy deluge of 8 lakh cusecs water would pass in River Indus at the site of Chachran Sharif between Sept 10-11 in the light of which evacuation from adjacent areas has been started.
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