The flood damage in Pakistan has killed 1,600 people and displaced millions more. Experts fear disease will spread as waters recede and worry. That the damage could cost more than $10 billion to repair.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan
Islamabad, capital of Pakistan and the largest city in the country. Has been hit by flooding that has left at least 11 people dead.
The city's airport was closed due to bad weather. On Friday night but reopened at 2pm on Saturday after being closed for 24 hours.
More than 1,600 people have been killed and millions left homeless in Pakistan by the worst flooding in decades.
- More than 1,600 people have been killed and millions left homeless in Pakistan by the worst flooding in decades.
- Floods have damaged or destroyed more than 2.6 million homes, leaving more than 20 million people homeless.
- Damage from the floods damage is estimated at $10 billion (Rs 65 billion).
Experts fear disease will spread as waters recede.
As the waters recede and people begin to return home. They will be exposed to diseases that have been suppressed by rainwater. The floods were so intense that many areas were covered. In mud for days on end—and this can lead to water-borne illnesses such as cholera and typhoid fever.
The clean up process is also expected to make it easier for these flood damage diseases. To spread quickly throughout Pakistan's rural communities. Once people start rebuilding their homes or farms. They may not have access to proper sanitation or safe drinking water; these conditions could lead them back into contact with contaminated surfaces or open wells (where bacteria could enter through cracks). In addition, as farmers begin planting crops again after being forced out of them during the flooding season—and if there isn't enough food available because some crops have been destroyed—they'll become susceptible even though they may believe themselves safe from harm at home."
Panic gripped flood-threatened areas.
Panic gripped flood-threatened areas as the death toll from overflowing rivers and landslides climbed to nearly 350, with many others feared missing.
In Srinagar, the main city of India's northernmost state Jammu and Kashmir, residents worried about their property and belongings. "I have lost everything flood damage," said one man who lost his home in the floods. "There is no food or water here."
In Pakistan's southwestern province Balochistan, where hundreds have been killed by the floodwaters since May 8th, local officials estimated losses at more than $10 billion (R102 billion), according to media reports citing them Monday night (May 12).
The flood damage could cost Pakistan more than $10 billion to recover from.
The cost of the floods could be as high as $10 billion, according to estimates from Pakistan's state-run National Disaster Management Authority. That's a conservative estimate, since it doesn't include the additional costs of repairing infrastructure and rebuilding homes and businesses that suffered damage during this summer's flooding season.
The country has already spent more than $1 billion on recovery efforts so far. Other countries have stepped up their donations—the United States has pledged $500 million—but they're nowhere near enough to cover all of Pakistan's needs.
Final lines
This is a public health crisis of the highest order. The government should be working hard to get essential supplies into the affected areas and to prevent disease from flood damage. We need help from the international community so that we can put an end to this tragedy as soon as possible.
