Floods in Pakistan- A Devastating blow to an already devastated economy

Pakistan is going through one of the worst times in its history. Since July, there have been numerous incidents which have left the nation to mourn. Target killings have increased in Karachi following the assassination of MQM MPA Raza Haider, the crash of the ill fated Air Blue Air Bus 321 left all of the 152 people aboard dead and now the country faces insurmountable odds in the wake of devastating floods that have engulfed the country.

The flood that began in July after heavy monsoon have so far killed more than 1500 people and have rendered thousands homeless. Over 20 million people and over 160,000 square kilometers of land have been affected due to flood. The flood not only destroyed homes but also the farms, crops and the infrastructure of various cities and villages.

The appalling conditions in which the survivors are living make them vulnerable to diseases. They have no food, no potable water and no health care facilities. Roads, bridges, buildings, communication networks and power plants, all have been damaged.

Damage to cotton crops is a setback to our textile industry. Ready crops of cotton, rice and sugarcane have been destroyed.  There is also a chance that farmers will miss the planting season as huge amounts of cultivable land are submerged in water, which can create shortfalls in the next year.

The timing of the flood clashed with Ramadan, a month in which the local people already face an increase in the prices of food items. The shortage of fruits and vegetables amongst other items due to the destruction of crops by the flood will cause prices to shoot even further.

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon termed it as the worst disaster he had ever seen. The massive flood which hit Pakistan has caused more damage than the 2004 Tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earth quake and the recent earth quake in Haiti.