Stranded Pakistanis struggle to cope with rising floodwaters

Record ID: 1687202

  • Title: Stranded Pakistanis struggle to cope with rising floodwaters
  • Date: 2nd September 2022
  • Summary: TANDO ALLAHYAR, SINDH PROVINCE, PAKISTAN (SEPTEMBER 2, 2022) (REUTERS) (MUTE) VARIOUS DRONE FOOTAGE OF HOUSES, SOME DAMAGED, AND TREES SURROUNDED BY FLOODWATER DRONE FOOTAGE OF MEN WALKING THROUGH FLOODS TANDO ALLAHYAR, SINDH PROVINCE, PAKISTAN (SEPTEMBER 2, 2022) (REUTERS) HOUSES DESTROYED BY FLOODS BELONGINGS OUTSIDE DAMAGED HOUSES MAN HOLDING SHRUBS WALKING THROUGH FLOODWATER TANDO ALLAHYAR, SINDH PROVINCE, PAKISTAN (SEPTEMBER 2, 2022) (REUTERS) (MUTE) VARIOUS DRONE FOOTAGE OF MEN WADING THROUGH WAIST-DEEP FLOODWATER TANDO ALLAHYAR, SINDH PROVINCE, PAKISTAN (SEPTEMBER 2, 2022) (REUTERS) MAN HOLDING BIG BAG OVERHEAD WALKING THROUGH FLOODWATER MAN LEADING BUFFALO IN FLOODWATER MEN AND CHILDREN WALKING THROUGH FLOODS (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) LOCAL RESIDENT, GHULAM MUSTAFA, SAYING: “In our nearby village, losses are big. The water inundated the whole village. People cannot go back for at least two months. The water level in our houses is about three to four feet high. Although we can fetch drinking water, we have been using the same (floodwater) for drinking so far.” TANDO ALLAHYAR, SINDH PROVINCE, PAKISTAN (SEPTEMBER 2, 2022) (REUTERS) (MUTE) DRONE FOOTAGE OF PEOPLE IN BOAT TANDO ALLAHYAR, SINDH PROVINCE, PAKISTAN (SEPTEMBER 2, 2022) (REUTERS) MAN PULLING CHILDREN ON MAKESHIFT RAFT THROUGH FLOODWATER TANDO ALLAHYAR, SINDH PROVINCE, PAKISTAN (SEPTEMBER 2, 2022) (REUTERS) (MUTE) VARIOUS DRONE FOOTAGE OF MAKESHIFT HUTS ON DRY PATCH OF LAND TANDO ALLAHYAR, SINDH PROVINCE, PAKISTAN (SEPTEMBER 2, 2022) (REUTERS) DISPLACED FAMILIES NEAR TENTS WOMAN COOKING IN TENT CHILDREN SITTING (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) LOCAL RESIDENT, ABDUL KHALIL, SAYING: “If floodwater levels don't stop (increasing), we won't be able to take our families back home for another five, six months. If the floodwater level stops (increasing), it may take us at least two months to go back home. All the mud houses have collapsed. The concrete houses have developed cracks and have sunken into the ground. More than half of the village population has been evacuated, the rest are trying to evacuate because the water has surrounded us from all directions.” CHILDREN AT MAKESHIFT HUTS WOMAN AND CHILDREN STANDING TANDO ALLAHYAR, SINDH PROVINCE, PAKISTAN (SEPTEMBER 2, 2022) (REUTERS) (MUTE) DRONE FOOTAGE OF MAKESHIFT HUTS AND FLOODED LAND
  • Embargoed: 16th September 2022 17:49
  • Keywords: Pakistani villagers Pakistanis flood victims flooded areas rising floodwaters
  • Location: TANDO ALLAHYAR, SINDH PROVINCE, PAKISTAN
  • City: TANDO ALLAHYAR, SINDH PROVINCE, PAKISTAN
  • Country: Pakistan
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Disaster/Accidents,Editors' Choice
  • Reuters ID: LVA001242502092022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Stranded locals in Pakistan's flood-hit Sindh province say they struggle to cope with rising floodwaters amid fears they might not be able to return to their homes in the next six months.
    "More than half of the village population has been evacuated, the rest are trying to evacuate because the water has surrounded us from all directions,” says Abdul Khalil, who lives in Tando Allahyar.
    The remaining locals are now living in makeshift huts and tents along a patch of dry land stretching through the village.
    Some locals walk through waist-deep floodwaters, carrying food and animals with them.
    Aerials show houses and trees submerged in floodwaters across the village.
    The inundation, blamed on climate change, has swamped about a third of the South Asian nation and is still spreading, increasing risk of waterborne diseases.
    "Although we can fetch drinking water, we have been using the same (floodwater) for drinking so far,” another resident, Ghulam Mustafa, said.
    Pakistan is struggling to respond to the floods given their unprecedented magnitude. The government has said 33 million people - 15% of its population - have been affected.
    The United Nations has appealed for $160 million in aid to help tackle what it said was an "unprecedented climate catastrophe" as Pakistan's navy has fanned out inland to carry out relief operations in areas that resemble a sea.
    On Friday, the military said it had evacuated about 50,000 people, including 1,000 by air, since rescue efforts began.
    Weather officials predict more rains and flash flooding in September, with southern regions bracing for a surge of water from the Indus river.
    (Production: Shahab Shahabuddin, Waseem Sattar)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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