Massive floods across Pakistan | Thousands Killed

[mshoaib61]

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

picture really does speak a thousand words

 

[Chiru]

Zardari looks very cool. ..

 

[fawwaxs]

More evacuations in Sindh as floods loom

SUKKUR: Authorities carried out more evacuations in Sindh province on Friday, threatened by the country's worst floods in 80 years.

The disaster swallowed up entire villages, killed over 1,600 people and devastated millions.

Meteorologist Hazrat Mir said on Thursday flood waters were moving at high levels in north Sindh province and would enter the town of Sukkur by Saturday.

About 350,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas of the Indus river basin in Sindh.

“Evacuations are continuing in the affected and vulnerable areas. There have been constant rains which have aggravated the situation in the areas already struck by floods,” said Saleh Farooqui, the director general of the provincial Disaster Management Authority.

“People had to leave their homes because of floods and they now also have to face problems because of rains.”

Those who have not been evacuated can only wait for what are likely to be raging waters like the ones which ravaged the northwest and the agricultural heartland Punjab.

Floods have already spread to Sindh but much heavier waters threaten to inflict far worse suffering. Some people who have fled their destroyed villages are out in the open and face the prospect of being displaced again.

 

[fawwaxs]

Flood water reached to the boundary wall of the 1,200-megawatt Kot Addu Power Company plant

 

[mshoaib61]

This aerial view shows a flood-hit area of Kot Addu, Pakistan on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010. Floodwaters ravaged hundreds of villages in Pakistan's main province of Punjab, destroying homes, soaking crops, and threatening more lives. Aid workers warned that bloated rivers would soon surge into the country's south, prompting more evacuations. (AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer)

 

[Neither Right Nor Wrong]

any idea how much loss has occured from this flooding? i know its increasing day n night but any official figure released by the Government of Pakistan?

Official govt figures released by NDMA... uptill couple of days ago was 1.7 Billion dollars....but actual damage may exceed $10Billion. ..

since the flood relief aid from friendly countries and world bodies up till now is less than $100 million..hence govt' s planned fiscal deficit will take hit .

...so much so that govt might have to borrow from SBP..which will further lead to increase in inflation.

 

[AstanoshKhan]

Telenor Pakistan Pledges Rs100 Million for Flood Affectees

By Sana Fatima · Friday, Aug 6, 2010

Telenor Pakistan has pledged Rs. 100 Million in funding and telecommunication services, towards relief and rehabilitation of flood affectees. The amount will be used to facilitate immediate relief efforts and longer term rehabilitation initiatives by Pakistan Red Crescent Society.

Chief Strategy Officer and VP Corporate Affairs, Telenor Pakistan, Aamir Ibrahim said, “In this hour of need, where millions have been affected by devastating floods across the country, Telenor Pakistan stands by its brethren. We will contribute through donating funds, offering our telecommunication services and volunteering our collective employee efforts towards the rehabilitation of the affectees. We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and the destruction caused by recent floods. We are sure that this humble effort will help those who need it most.”

Secretary General, Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), Brig. (Retd.) Muhammad Ilyas Khan appreciated Telenor Pakistan’s timely contribution. He said, “This is a great initiative from Telenor Pakistan and hopefully will also encourage other organizations to contribute in a similar manner. This is a national crisis and everyone needs to do their part by coming forward and extending support.”

Telenor Pakistan runs a number of community support initiatives aimed at helping communities help themselves. In addition to becoming a disability friendly organization, Telenor Pakistan also takes a lead in extending support to disaster victims. In wake of October 2008 earthquake in Baluchistan, it was the first telecom operator to reach the affected area that provided communication facilities and a month’s supply of food items to 160 families. Other than providing crisis communication support to Edhi, National Crisis Management Cell, press and relief organizations, Telenor Pakistan also made a contribution of Rs. 65 million to the President Earthquake Relief Fund and International Red Cross after the 2005 earthquake. Telenor Pakistan and PRCS also worked together during the IDP crisis to help thousands of displaced people from tribal areas of Pakistan.

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Mobilink Pledges Rs. 85 million For Flood Relief

By Sana Fatima · Thursday, Aug 5, 2010 4

Mobilink, Pakistan’s market leader in cellular communication services, with the support of parent company Orascom Telecom Holding has committed Rs. 85 million for providing relief to the affectees of the floods caused by torrential monsoon rains in Pakistan.

Mobilink will be coordinating with relief organizations including World Food Programme and World Health Organization to reach out to the flood victims to ensure that aid needs of the deserving and un-served are met in an efficient manner. The funds will be used to provide immediate relief assistance including clean drinking water and dry food rations.

Naguib Sawiris, Executive Chairman, OTH and Khaled Bichara, Group Chief Executive Officer, OTH expressed grief at the loss of lives, infrastructure and the ongoing crisis adding that Mobilink and Pakistan hold a very special place at Orascom and the Rs. 85 million fund is a humble way of expressing solidarity with the millions of people affected by the worst floods in Pakistan’s history.

Rashid Khan, President & CEO Mobilink shared that, “This is a national tragedy that requires each one of us to respond with support that is tangible and urgency which is critical. As one of the largest private sector organizations in the country, Mobilink has always been at the forefront in supporting our fellow citizens in times such as these. We have an experienced team who have been a part of Mobilink’s efforts in the 2005 earthquake, Balochistan floods and more recently the IDPs Relief efforts as well as a generous employee and subscriber base that makes us ideally positioned to deliver effectively.”

In addition to committing funds at the company level, Mobilink has also set up a short code to enable Mobilink users to contribute Rs. 10 (plus tax) by texting “Flood” to 616 or deposit donations to Mobilink Foundation account (account # 0401-0028266-0001) by visiting any NIB branch. Mobilink has also set up a salary fund to enable employees to donate towards this cause.

According to sources, the flood has affected more than 3 million people, including 1.4 million children. Having killed at least 1,400 already, the death toll is expected to rise as more heavy rain is reported in the midst of the monsoon season, feared breakout of water-borne diseases such as cholera and a food crisis due to several parts being cut off for almost one week now.

Last year, Mobilink established a complete relief camp accommodating 1,000 families of IDPs with a Rs. 81 million fund. Recognized as the largest private sector relief commitment for the IDPs, the camp provided inhabitants with all basic need items ranging from tents, bedding and hygiene items, dry food rations, cooking areas and utensils to basic health care, education and even recreation. As a company committed to reshaping lives, Mobilink and Orascom have shown unwavering commitment in the past as well by actively engaging in the relief and rehabilitation of the Oct 2005 earthquake affectees.

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Well, Mobilink should also do something about their service in flood affected Charsadda districtt. No service at all while others like ufone, Telenor and Zong are there… Isn't it unfair from Mobilink stating such big and doing nothing. Mobilink is dead in Charsadda and Nowshera from almost 8days.

 

[RescueRanger]

any idea how much loss has occured from this flooding? i know its increasing day n night but any official figure released by the Government of Pakistan?

Official damage estimates and Situation report:
http://ndma.gov.pk/Documents/flood_2010/05 August 2010.doc

 

[fawwaxs]

High flood at Guddu Barrage

KARACHI: The water level at Guddu Barrage is persistently surging , as the floodwater inundated school, mosque and several houses in the village abutting the Barrage, Geo News reported Friday.

Flood tide with 9,62,000 cusecs of water is raging from Guddu Barrage. The water pressure increased at Qadirpur loop embankment, in Ghotki, KK and Tori embankments in Kashmore, Aqil Agahi and Nusrat loop embankments in Larkana and Faridabad and Al Raja Gajeer embankments in Khairpur.

Red alert has been declared at sensitive embankments. More than 9,62,000 cusecs passing through Guddu Barrage whereas officials of Pak Army, Rangers and irrigation departments started strengthening Qadirpur loop embankment as water pressure increases on constant basis. At 7, 80,000 cusecs floodwaters is expected in Larkana later today where army jawans deputed at Nusrat and Aqil Agani loop embankments. On the other hand, evacuation of locals is underway from Katcha area to safer places.

 

[fawwaxs]

France sends 300,000 euros for flood relief

PARIS: France will give 300,000 euros (395,000 dollars) to three organisations working to provide relief for the victims of Pakistan's devastating monsoon floods, the foreign ministry said Friday.

In a statement, it said the donation, made after Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner met Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari earlier this week, would be shared by the French Red Cross, Handicap International and Secours Islamique.

This year's monsoon floods in northern Pakistan have endangered around 4.5 million people, UN officials said Friday, as relief workers warned the amount of aid needed is “absolutely daunting”. – AFP

 

[RescueRanger]

^^ 395,000 dollars... Your kidding me right?

 

[Jigs]

For a country that has a 2.5 trillion dollar GDP that sure seems like a sum some African nation would donate. Maybe they don't understand the extent of the damage ? That or lack the interest. Donation should be made accordingly to the extent of the disaster at hand and that surely doesn't come close to what this entitles.

 

[Hutchroy]

150 Punjab MPAs refuse donation to relief fund

LAHORE: Over 150 members of the Punjab Assembly have refused to donate their one-month salary to the Chief Minister Relief Fund for the flood victims. Majority of the MPAs who refused to donate their salary are from the PPP, PML-Q and Forward Bloc. Senior Minister Raja Riaz, Haji Ishaq, Ashraf Sohna, Neelum Jabbar, Rana Tanveer Islam and Farooq Yousaf Gurki are yet to donate their one-month salary to the relief fund. Some MPAs have said their flood-hit constituencies also needed help. The PPP and PML-N MPAs say they are not bound to contribute their one-month salary to the relief fund on the appeal of the chief minister.

 

[RescueRanger]

150 Punjab MPAs refuse donation to relief fund

LAHORE: Over 150 members of the Punjab Assembly have refused to donate their one-month salary to the Chief Minister Relief Fund for the flood victims. Majority of the MPAs who refused to donate their salary are from the PPP, PML-Q and Forward Bloc. Senior Minister Raja Riaz, Haji Ishaq, Ashraf Sohna, Neelum Jabbar, Rana Tanveer Islam and Farooq Yousaf Gurki are yet to donate their one-month salary to the relief fund. Some MPAs have said their flood-hit constituencies also needed help. The PPP and PML-N MPAs say they are not bound to contribute their one-month salary to the relief fund on the appeal of the chief minister.

What's new here. As i stated in an earlier post somewhere they "our civilian leaders" are busy sending their wealth to Geneva and the Cayman Islands.

They will get back to us on election year! With promises of reconstruction and rehabilitation for the masses, chanting hearty slogans of "Shere Humara"... Yeah Right!