Floods displace nearly 250,000, affect 1.2m in eastern Pakistan

Rescuers in boats raced to reach stranded families in Pakistan's populous eastern Punjab province on Thursday, after three major rivers burst their banks because of heavy rain and the release of water from overflowing dams in neighboring India.

- 

The floods displaced nearly 250,000 people and officials said more than 1 million people were affected, with crops and businesses destroyed and many unable to leave their homes.

At least 15 people were killed a day earlier in Gujranwala district and nearby villages, according to police. Forecasters said more rain was expected Friday, after a two-day pause, and could continue into next week.

Marriyum Aurangzeb, senior minister of Punjab province, said floods hit 1,432 villages located along the Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab rivers, affecting about 1.2 million people and displacing 248,000 others.

Nearly 700 relief and 265 medical camps have been set up in the flood-hit areas, she said, adding that food and other essential supplies are being delivered to flood-hit areas.

Floods have killed more than 800 people in Pakistan since late June.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said Pakistan is “among the countries most vulnerable to natural disasters” and ranks among the 10 most affected by climate change.