Flood emergency declared in swathes of country

A severe weather system that swept through Pakistan over the past few days has caused widespread destruction and claimed hundreds of lives, officials said on Tuesday. 

As the floodwaters began to recede in some areas, the extent of the damage became clear.  Houses and roads were destroyed, and crops washed away.  The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue.

Rescue operations ongoing

Rescue efforts are ongoing, with helicopters being used to reach affected communities, mainly in the north and northwest of the country.  The military is also mobilizing to provide aid.  Many have been evacuated from affected areas, but some remain stranded.

The country's Meteorological Department has issued warnings for more rain in the coming days, with the threat of landslides in the north.  Officials are urging citizens to evacuate the most at-risk areas.

Affected areas

Among the hardest-hit areas is the mountainous region of Chitral, where hundreds of houses have been washed away and at least a dozen villages have been completely submerged.  Many residents still await rescue as telephone and internet networks have been down since yesterday. 

The floodwaters also heavily impacted the southern province of Sindh, where dozens have been killed and many more remain missing.  Here, too, search and rescue operations are ongoing.

Climate change implicated

Many are pointing to the reality of climate change as a major contributor to the severity of these floods.  Recent research has highlighted that global heating has increased the likelihood of extreme rainfall events in Pakistan and other South Asian countries.

While Pakistani authorities have recently highlighted successes in their drive to plant tens of millions of trees and increase awareness of climate issues, many are critical of the lack of global action on climate change, citing it as a moral issue that has implications for developing countries.

International responses

Many countries and international organizations have offered their condolences and support.  The United Nations has said it is 'ready to offer humanitarian aid', and Turkey has offered to send emergency relief, including tents, food, and medical supplies.  Similar offers have come from several other countries, including China and Afghanistan.