Pakistan floods’ death toll touches 1,576

ISLAMABAD, Sep 22 (SABAH): Pakistan’s unprecedented floods, which have submerged huge swathes of the nation, have killed 1,576 people, data showed on Thursday, as authorities looked to step up relief efforts for millions affected by the disaster.

The floods brought by record monsoon rains and glacial melt in northern mountains have hit 33 million of a population of 220 million, sweeping away homes, transport, crops and livestock in damage estimated at $30 billion.

According to the latest figures, 7 more people have died of floods across the country taking the total number of casualties to 1576. The number of injured persons has soared to 12,862 injured.

The NDMA further said that over 1,017,423 cattle have died in flood across the country.

However, water level has started to fall in Manchhar Lake as local administrations works to reopen roads and highways that were submerged by the flood waters.

The government and the United Nations have blamed climate change for the surging waters, in the wake of record-breaking summer temperatures that have driven thousands from their homes to live in tents or along highways in the open.

Pakistan received 391 mm (15.4 inches) of rain, or nearly 190% more than the 30-year average, in July and August. That figure climbed to 466% for one of the worst-affected areas, the southern province of Sindh.