THE death toll in Pakistan's worst flooding in recent history rose to more than 1300 people yesterday, as the United States rushed out helicopters, boats, bridges, water units and other supplies as part of an initial $US10 million ($11.1 million) aid pledge.
Monsoon rains, flash floods and landslides in the country’s northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province have been blamed for the loss of lives and the tens of thousands of others who have been left homeless.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is the worst hit province as over 567 houses were razed down to ground by flash floods, 90 highways were damaged, 58 big thoroughfares were closed for traffic; while, 104 people are still unaccounted for, Geo TV reported.
Up to one million people were affected, according to the United Nations, with thousands of homes and vast swathes of farmland destroyed in a region of Pakistan reeling from years of extremist bloodshed.
The military has deployed 30,000 troops who have helped rescue more than 20,700 people but rescue workers are struggling to save more than 27,000 people still trapped by the water.
Hundreds of survivors sought shelter in schools in Peshawar, the main city in northwest Pakistan, and in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani Kashmir, after escaping the floods with children on their backs.
In neighboring Afghanistan, flash floods killed at least 65 people and affected more than 1000 families, officials said.
Pakistani television footage and photographs taken from helicopters showed people clinging to the walls and rooftops of damaged houses as water rushed through villages.
Pakistan's weather bureau said an "unprecedented" 12 inches of rain had fallen in 36 hours in the northwest but forecast that only scattered showers would fall during coming days.
Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, said yesterday that the United States was standing with Pakistan.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost loved ones or have been displaced from their homes -- and we are taking action to help," she said in a statement.
"Our embassy in Islamabad is coordinating closely with Pakistani authorities to support rescue and relief efforts.
"And we will work closely with the Government of Pakistan to ensure aid reaches those people who need it most. I have seen first-hand the strength and resilience of the Pakistani people and I know they will come through this tragedy with determination and compassion."
