Floods bring misery and death to southern Pakistan

Reuters 2011-09-07

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Floods continue to cause chaos across Pakistan's southern province of Sindh following heavy rains over the past week.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority the floods have affected over two million people, made hundreds of thousands homeless, and caused the deaths of at least 132.
(SOUNDBITE) (Sindhi) MALUKA BIBI, FLOOD AFFECTED VICTIM:
"We were asleep when the water came. All our belongings were destroyed. We managed to get some of our stuff out in a boat, but we have suffered heavy losses."
Authorities have announced compensation packages for victims and asked troops to "stand by".
But many of those affected, camping in tattered tents and makeshift huts after their homes were destroyed, say they have received hardly any help.
(SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) SIKANDER ALI, FLOOD VICTIM:
"We will have to start armed robberies; we have no other choice. All that we can do is to take up arms and stand on the roads for highway robberies. What else can we do to fill our children's stomachs?"
The rains have damaged 80 percent of the crops in Sindh, and 100,000 cattle are believed to have died in flash floods.
The Meteorological Office predicts more rain across the country.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.

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