August 29th 2022
Pakistan floods: One third of country is under water - minister
by bbc news
One-third of Pakistan has been completely submerged by historic flooding, its climate minister says.
Devastating flash floods have washed away roads, homes and crops - leaving a trail of deadly havoc across Pakistan.
"It's all one big ocean, there's no dry land to pump the water out," Sherry Rehman told AFP, adding it had created a "crisis of unimaginable proportions."
At least 1,136 people have died since the monsoon season began in June, according to officials.
The summer rain is the heaviest recorded in a decade and is blamed by the government on climate change.
"Literally, one-third of Pakistan is underwater right now, which has exceeded every boundary, every norm we've seen in the past," Ms Rehman said.
Of those who are known to have died, 75 were in the past 24 hours alone, officials said on Monday, adding that the death toll is expected to rise.
Speaking to the BBC, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said one-third of those killed are believed to be children.
"We're still coming to grips with the extent of the damage," he added.
Officials estimate that more than 33 million Pakistanis - one in seven people - have been affected by the historic flooding.
Heavy waters in the country's northern Swat Valley have swept away bridges and roads, cutting off entire villages.
Those who managed to escape have been crowded into one of many makeshift camps across the country.
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