Pakistan government has declared a national emergency as rain-induced floods have so far killed 937 people, including 343 children, and left at least 30 million without shelter.
Sindh Province reported the highest number of deaths as 306 people lost their lives due to floods and rain-related incidents from June 14 to Thursday, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Balochistan reported 234 deaths whereas Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab Province recorded 185 and 165 deaths, respectively.
In Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, 37 people were killed while nine deaths were reported in the Gilgit-Baltistan region during the current monsoon rains.
According to the NDMA, Pakistan received 166.8 mm of rain in August, as opposed to the average of 48 mm — an increase of 241%. Sindh and Balochistan — the worst-hit regions — witnessed a 784% and 496% increase in the monsoon deluge, respectively, the Dawn News reported.
Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman said on Thursday that a “war room” has been set up by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at NDMA, which would spearhead relief operations across the country.
Sindh has asked for one million tents and Balochistan has demanded 100,000 tents, she said.
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