Devastating storms are currently causing flooding and flash flooding not only in Afghanistan but also in Pakistan. As the danger of this continues to grow, authorities have now ordered the evacuation of thousands. Nearly 1,000 people have died in the South Asian country since the beginning of the year as a result of the monsoon rains and their effects.
“The house we built through years of hard work began to sink before our very eyes,” said Junaid Khan, 23, who owns two fish farms in Charsadda in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Many rivers overflow in the region, destroying numerous buildings.
33 million people affected
More than 33 million people – one in seven Pakistanis – have been affected by the floods this year, according to Pakistani authorities. Nearly a million homes were destroyed or severely damaged. The Pakistani government has declared a state of emergency because of the disaster.
The monsoon season in Pakistan usually lasts from June to September. The monsoon plays an important role in agriculture and water supply, but also causes devastating floods time and again.
Video: Prime Minister Muhammad Sharif in the crisis area
Authorities say the magnitude of the floods this year is comparable to that of 2010, when about a fifth of the country was submerged. More than 2,000 people died and about 20 million were left homeless.
Pakistan is particularly vulnerable to climate change. According to the German development and environmental organization Germanwatch, it is the eighth country most threatened by extreme weather conditions.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
