Damage to roads, bridges and other infrastructure caused delays for rescuers and humanitarian personnel responding to a massive flood that happened yesterday. After experiencing a devastating plane crash that killed 152 people, Pakistanis are now saddled with the effects of a flood the severity of which is not typically felt.
Despite being used to annual Monsoons, locals call this the worst in years. Some areas haven’t been hit this hard since 1929.
Camps have popped up to house the displaced, however they are ripe with fever, diarrhea and skin problems caused by the flood. Although neigboring Afghanistan has experienced flooding as well, the 64 dead and destroyed farmland seems like a much less disastrous turn of events.
Some riverside towns quickly crumbled as flood waters rose and residents sought high ground, of which there was often very little. Despite the death toll that is growing past 800, government officials estimate 1,000,000 people have been affected by the flood.
The situation is not entirely dire. 30,000 Pakistani army troops had been mobilized and successfully recovered 19,000 trapped people. However, as is often the case with large natural disasters, the true death toll may not be known for months.
As is also the case with natural disasters, the disease, starvation and dehydration will soon be the largest challenge rescuers face. Although flood waters are receding, many people were seen on their roofs with nothing but the clothes on their back and little hope of an air or water rescue.
Rescue worker Amjad Ali has seen the reality up close. “Due to the floodwater, they now have pain in their bodies and they are suffering from fever and cough.”
Rescuers in both Afghanistan and Pakistan are using army helicopters and boats to reach flood victims. The American Embassy has lent 12 prefabricated steel bridges to use temporarily. It is also sending 50,000 meals to be distributed among the victims.
Although challenged by downed communication systems, washed out roads and disease, rescuers are making their best efforts to reach the stranded.