The scale and size of Pakistan’s flood tragedy was bigger than its resources, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said while addressing a press conference at the National Flood Response Coordination Centre in Islamabad.

“But our commitment is strong like a rock. We believe together we can tackle this crisis,” he said at the presser which centred around the flood damages and efforts to improve the infrastructure and communication system.

Floods triggered by heavy rains have so far killed more than 1,000 people since mid-June in the country, affecting over 33 million of the population. The government has urged the international community to help Pakistan to come out of this crisis.

Pakistan’s flood calamity

• 33 million populaiton has been affected
• 758 feeders – out of 881 – have been restored
• More than one million houses
• 69 – out of 81 grid stations – restored
• Six out of eight transmission lines restored
• 1,265 people killed since mid-June
• Around 5,000km of roads disturbed
• 735,000 livestock damaged
• 1500mm rain was recorded in some areas where average rainfall is 20mm to 30mm
• Sindh and Balochistan are most affected
• More than one million houses damaged
• 11 out of 14 vital connectivity restored up till now
• 2,900 communication towers – out of 3,500 – repaired
• Pakistan received more than 500% average downpour, breaking 30 years of the country’s record

The planning minister added that flash floods and hill torrents have been the two major causes of total damage. He claimed that national institutions were steadfast in playing their role to provide relief to the people.

“This is not possible for the government or provinces or armed forces or institutions to tackle it on its own. We have to fight this calamity collectively,” Iqbal said.

“This is the time where together we have to play our role in the flood relief effort.” He was of the view that it was a test for the nation whenever it was hit by such a disaster. But, it should get united.

“This is a moment for us that we as a nation start a new campaign for Pakistan’s rebuilding. Let’s start a movement where we show a picture where future generations have not to suffer from such floods.

“If we unite together then we can overcome all the problems. I urge the entire nation,” Iqbal said, “collection centres have been built. Kindly donate to the victims. These floods taught us that we should learn from our mistakes like construction inside rivers and negligence in the past.”

Iqbal said that the response centre was formed to coordinate the relief efforts and make an integrated response.

Pakistan faced four heatwaves in summer, Lieutenant General Akhtar Nawaz, the National Disaster Management Authority chairman, said while presenting the weather situation in the country.

He added that an emergency has been imposed in the country in the wake of flash floods.

The NDMA chairman while quoting the PMD said that over 20% rain was expected in this monsoon season.

Nawaz said that such weather led to a glacial lake outburst flood in Gilgit Baltistan.

Response

• Rs25,000 to flood victim families
• Army called in to assist provincial administrations in dealing with the situation
• National emergency declared
• Relief coordination committee formed
• National survey under way
• Around 420,000 tents provided
• 57,400 food packages (one package is 90kg which caters for a family of six members)

Foreign aid

• Medical teams from Qatar and France will reach Pakistan within two days
• 29 relief goods flights have arrived in Pakistan from foreign countries (Turkey 10, UAE 11, China 4, Qatar 2, France 1, Uzbekistan 1). More flights to come from UAE, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Jordan
• 2,728 tents, 98 tons of dry fruits and fruits packages, high-powered 50 boats, 56 tons of medicines

Helplines 1125, 1135 set up

Pak Air Force has rescued as many as 1,851 people, Major General Babar Iftikhar, the director general of Inter-Services Public Relations, said.

He added that armed forces were working for the past two months in flood-hit areas.

The DG ISPR said that the Pakistan Army has established flood relief and coordination centres in all the rain-hit areas where troops from all the formations were deployed.

More than 276 helicopter sorties have been sent, while over 397 medical and relief camps have been established. A helpline ‘1125’ has been set up in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and ‘1135’ in Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. And 284 collection points have been set up.

“People’s trust is Pakistan armed forces asset,” he said, adding that they have been ready to help people in difficult situations. “With people’s support, we will be able to come out of this crisis.”

He paid tribute to the martyrs of the Lasbela helicopter crash, saying that “it is because of them that we are breathing freely today”.