Catastrophic floods devastate Pakistan with death toll nearly 1300, hundreds of thousands of people are living in relief camps

The flood situation in Pakistan is grim. Death toll is nearly 1,300 even as relief operations continue. Humanitarian aid in the form of basic necessities like food, shelter, medicines are the need of the hour. Aid has started to flow in from a number of countries. The first such assistance flight from France has landed in Islamabad. Innumerable number of people are forced to live in relief camps across Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Punjab. Agencies of the government as well as private NGOs are continuing with their relief operations. These are described as a "humanitarian disaster of epic proportions." Large portions of the country continue to be submerged under water. This is especially in the provinces of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh in the south. On a rough estimate, nearly 1.5 million houses have suffered damages. Moreover, a large number of livestock has perished in the floods. 1,300 Dead In Pakistan's Devastating Floods, Over 5 Lakh Displaced.

Initial estimate of the damages have been put at USD 10 billion. However, international organizations are carrying out surveys. More than 700,000 families have received a lump some cash relief (per family). An amount of ₹ 18.25 billion has been already been disbursed on this account. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif went to a social media platform and wrote - "Despite challenges, Benazir Income Support Programme rolled out its operations within no time.” The authorities have called on the international community to support Pakistan. They have also assured the nation that the government would try to bring back normalcy at the earliest. The floods have drowned nearly a third of the country and affected more than 33 million people. The natural calamity came after four heatwaves and multiple raging forest fires. These highlight the effects of climate change in this part of Asia.

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Pakistan International Airlines ATR-42 aircraft crashes killing all 47 on board

A Pakistan International Airlines ATR-42 plane carrying 47 people crashed on a domestic flight as it was going from Chitral to Islamabad.
The Islamabad bound flight PK-661 had taken off from Chitral and went missing near Abbottabad before the pilots lost control over the aircraft and contact with control tower. A thick cloud of smoke was also seen billowing from the area where the aircraft came down.
This has been reported in thenews.com.pk dated 7 December 2016.

Military have indicated that 36 bodies were retrieved from the debris of the plane. An aviation official said it was too early to say anything about the cause of the crash, but it probably occurred due to engine failure.
Former famous Pakistani singer Junaid Jamshed, his wife Nahya, and Deputy Commissioner Osama Ahmed Waraich were also among the passengers on the ill fated plane. Jamshed was in Chitral on a preaching tour. A total of 31 men, nine women and two infants were on board the flight, including at least three foreigners.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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