News
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Evacuations continue in Badin* 50,000 people being shifted to Hyderabad, Thatta
* Met Office forecasts more rains
* UN says 4.3m acres flooded
* One million houses destroyed or damaged
HYDERABAD: The Badin district administration continued evacuation of people from 12 union councils on Monday, which found vulnerable to Left Bank Outfall Drain spillover.
The UCs include Khairpur Gambo, Dei Jarkas, Pangrio, Dadah, Khalifo Qasim, Khoski, Mithi-III, Bhugra Memon, Nindo, Kadhan, Luari Sharif and Seerani.
The district administration has also requested the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to acquire the help of the Pakistan Army in rescue operation.
The torrential rainfall, which started again on Monday, has exacerbated the situation. At least 50,000 affected people will be shifted to Hyderabad and Thatta districts.
Floodwaters across Sindh have also destroyed or damaged nearly one million houses and flooded 4.2 million acres since late August, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Zafar Qadir, chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority, said Pakistan faced a crisis “of great magnitude”.
In Tando Muhammad Khan, residents who watched water rise to about eight feet and rush through homes and shops feel helpless. Water has been stagnant for a week in some areas.
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday indicated chances of more monsoon rains for lower Sindh during next three days.
In a warning, the Met Office said that heavy spells would cause more flooding in already inundated areas, therefore, all the authorities concerned are requested to remain alert for next three days.
Chief Meteorologist Ghulam Rasul said that very heavy monsoon rains in Sindh were occurring due to abnormal weather patterns.
Generally, widespread monsoon rains occurred in northern parts of the country but this year unexpected weather changes has caused very heavy rains in southern parts and inundated 16 districts of Sindh.
About early forecast of weather changes, the chief meteorologist said, “We issue seasonal outlook at the start of the season but such abrupt weather events can only be predicted three or four days earlier.”
He said that the latest meteorological conditions were indicating that the strong monsoon weather system now lies over southeast Sindh and adjoining areas of Rajasthan (India).
The army troops deployed on rescue and life saving operations in Laarr, Thar and Naaro, have further geared services and deployed fresh troops along with necessary equipment. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk