Pakistan flood death toll rises
Pastor Dale Morgan
*
*Pakistan flood death toll rises*
Up to two million people are affected by the floods
More than 100 people have now died in floods after a cyclone and rain
swept through Pakistan, relief officials say.
The storm and floods have affected two million people in 15 districts of
Balochistan province, officials say.
Poor communications and the remoteness of areas hit means the scale of
Cyclone Yemyin's destruction remains unknown.
Heavy monsoon rain and winds have also lashed India's western
Maharashtra state, with at least 40 flood-related deaths in recent days,
officials say.
Storms and floods have affected large parts of South Asia over the past
week, with at least 140 people killed week elsewhere in India.
And in flooded parts of Afghanistan, more than 80 people have died in
recent days, while several dozen others were killed in Pakistan's tribal
areas along the border.
Relief challenge
Many people have been without drinking water or electricity for days in
Balochistan. More rains are forecast in the area.
Flash floods have hampered attempts to bring aid to people hit by storms.
Every family is looking for one or two members. They are all missing
Chaker Baloth,-Balochistan resident
Anger and despair
"Relief goods are pouring in, but it is a challenge to distribute it in
the vast affected area where communication and transportation lines have
broken down," Raziq Bugti, spokesman for the Balochistan government told
the Associated Press news agency.
Another relief official said more tents were needed to provide shelter
for people who had been left homeless by the floods.
Relief commissioner Ali Gul Kurd said hundreds of villages had been
inundated, with 90% of crops, cattle and houses destroyed in some areas.
He also that the casualty figures could rise as dozens of people had
been reported missing.
Four people died in overnight rains in Sindh province, and in one
district alone, 30 villages have been inundated with flood waters,
officials said.
Last month, more than 200 people were killed in Pakistan's biggest city,
Karachi, by floods and high winds.
India floods
Meanwhile, India's biggest city Mumbai (Bombay) has also been battling
flood water after heavy rain and strong winds hit Maharashtra state, of
which it is capital, over the weekend.
A number of areas of the city were flooded, with road, rail and air
transport disrupted.
Coastal areas bore the brunt of the flooding. Amravati district, about
500km (about 300 miles) north-east of Mumbai was also badly hit, reports
said.
Annual monsoon rains provide a vital source of water in many parts of
South Asia, and are vital for its agriculture. Every summer many die in
the floods the rain brings.