Pakistan has seen huge amounts of rain in the last few days as part of the monsoon. The capital, Islamabad, had over 20cm in 24 hours on 20th July. Flooding has resulted in several deaths – some media reports say as many as 5 people have died – all in the Sialkot region of Punjab. Central and western Punjab has been worst affected so far, as storms and heavy rain are expected to continue.
Flood warnings have been issued in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur districts in central Punjab. Rivers have overflowed in Sialkot, Daska, Pasrur and Kasur districts in western Punjab. Many areas are under water as a result, including the city of Sialkot, where many of the main roads are submerged causing havoc with the local transport system.
It is not yet clear whether any relief operation is in place. Responsibility for such operations lies ultimately with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who in such circumstances directs Pakistan’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to take steps on an emergency basis for the provision of temporary residence and food commodities to the affected people
Crops have been destroyed as yet more farmland in Asia lies under water. There are similar stories in Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh in India. Areas of Laos suffered from rice crop failure after flooding there in June 2013.
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Sources: Pakistan Today
