Over 170 deaths on floods in Pakistan, including many children

Over 170 deaths on floods in Pakistan, including many children

Islamabad, Pakistan - Terrible floods in the east Pakistan's demand the life of more than 170 people, including almost half children. This catastrophe illustrates the country's vulnerability to the tightening climate crisis.

Overview of the current floods

In the last 24 hours, at least 54 other deaths have been reported, according to the national disaster protection authority (NDMA), after torrential rains searched for the most populous province of Punjab, whereby houses were collapsed and destroyed. Since the beginning of the flood on June 26th, a total of at least 85 children have been killed.

concern about the safety of children

users are increasingly avoating the children who are particularly susceptible to drown and life -threatening diseases due to water -related infections, warn aid organizations such as Unicef .

emergency in affected regions

The emergency was proclaimed in several districts of the province, and the military was used in the city of Rawalpindi to deal with the increase in flood levels. Video material, which was shared by the disaster protection authority Punjab, shows dramatic rescue actions in which first aiders bring children to safety in a rubber boat.

weather conditions and effects

The heavy rain continues to stop in Rawalpindi and the nearby capital Islamabad. According to Pakistan's meteorological service, more than 100 millimeters of precipitation were measured in several areas on Thursday, and further heavy rains are forecast for Friday.

effects on the population

Mahar Hammad, a resident of the Sargodha distribution in Punjab, reported CNN that he is “seriously affected” by the floods. When daylohn, the vegetables sold, Hammad said that the floods have thrown him back a lot. The roof of his house is damaged and the water penetrates due to the rain.

"I have suffered massive losses. I sold vegetables and everything was sunk in the water. I am only a worker-I work all day to earn 1,000 rupees (about $ 4), and even that is now in losses," he said.

help for flood victims

Seven flood aid camps have been set up throughout Pakistan, which offer the food, water, medicine and accommodation affected by the flood.

climate crisis and its consequences for Pakistan

Pakistan is at the forefront of the climate crisis caused by humans. The country with more than 230 million inhabitants is haunted by two mighty weather systems - one that causes the scorching heat and drought, and another that unleashes the incessant monsoon rain.

"This is not just 'bad weather' - it is a symptom of an accelerating climate crisis," commented on the Pakistani senator and former Minister for Climate and Environment, Sherry Rehman, X. "How many other alarm calls do we need before we need real resilience and willingness in our urban planning?"

memories of past disasters

The persistent heat waves this year accelerated the melting of the glaciers in the north of the country, which led to previous floods. Deadly floods from torrential rains during the MONSUN months keep making headlines in the South Asian country. This year's rainfall is reminiscent of the record floods from three years ago.

Pakistan had experienced the worst floods in its history in 2022 when a third of the country was flooded by heavy rains and more than 1,000 people died.

consequences for the health of children

The force of the flood water tore with it and left tens of thousands of people without food or clean drinking water. When the water started to sink, a variety of water -related diseases spread that infected thousands - many of them. Parents desperately tried to seek help while their children suffered from dysentery, dengue fever and malaria.

According to Unicef, around four million children had no access to safe water a year later.