India to Help Pakistan as Flood Kills More Than 1100 People
Summary Pakistan’s Climate Change Minister said around ? of Pakistan is under water, and more than 1100 people have lost their lives so far.
Global Warming has caused severe and deadly climate change around the world, incidents of which are being reported from different parts. However, now the affected part is none other than our neighbouring country Pakistan, which is currently affected by massive floods. Tens of millions of people across Pakistan are battling the worst monsoon floods in the last 10 years. Countless homes have been washed away, farmland and crops are destroyed and the country's main river “Indus” is threatening to burst its banks. Pakistan’s Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman said around one third (?) of the country was under water, creating a "crisis of unimaginable proportions".
Officials say 1,136 people have died since June, when the seasonal rains began, but the final toll could be higher as hundreds of villages in the mountainous parts have been completely cut off after flood affected rivers washed away roads and bridges.The annual monsoon is essential for irrigating crops and refilling water bodies like lakes and dams across the Indian subcontinent, but it can also bring destruction. The National Disaster Management Authority in Pakistan said, “This year's flooding has affected more than 33 million people.
Pakistan witnessed severe floods like this earlier in 2010, when approximately 2000 people lost their lives.
Much of Sindh area of Pakistan is now an endless landscape of water, leading a massive military-led relief operation. One senior officer has said, "There are no landing strips or roads available; the pilots find it difficult to land," Prices of basic goods - particularly onions, tomatoes and chickpeas are rapidly increasing as vendors are facing a lack of supplies from the flooded regions of Sindh and Punjab areas of Pakistan . Padidan, a small town in Sindh, was drenched by more than 47 inches of rain since June, making it the wettest place in Pakistan.
With this massive natural disaster, when countries around the world, including the US, the UK, Qatar, Canada etc are coming forward to help Pakistan, India is also all set to provide humanitarian support and aid to its neighbours. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29th of August said he was “saddened” to see the devastation and “hoped for an early restoration of normalcy” in Pakistan.Moreover, according to sources, discussions are going on by top officials on the possibility of extending humanitarian assistance and options to help Pakistan. However, no decision has been taken yet. Responding to questions at a press conference in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said the government could “consider importing vegetables and other edible items from India to facilitate people after the massive floods destroyed crops across the country.
What do you think about this massive natural disaster which is being witnessed by Pakistan? Do mention your thoughts & opinions in the comment section below.
