Punjab, Pakistan: Millions Affected by Floods, to Evacuate
- 14 years ago
Millions of panic-stricken people are being evacuated as the worst floods in Pakistan's history wreak havoc across the country. Authorities faced challenges as many villagers were relucatnt to evacuate and leave their homes.
Pakistan's worst floods in 80 years continue to batter parts of the Punjab region on Tuesday.
The floods are swallowing villages and precious crops along a 600 mile-long trail from northern Pakistan to the south, killing more than 1,600 people.
Rescue efforts have been hampered not only by continuing rainstorms, inaccessible terrain, destroyed infrastructure and limited resources, but also by the reluctance of villagers to leave their homes.
Some villagers stay because they hope the waters will recede and they will be able to go back to farming their fields.
Others believe they can still salvage their collapsed homes even though they are surrounded by a sea of water.
[Malik Farooq Wedar, Villager]: (male, Punjabi)
"We have suffered great losses. Our houses are destroyed. All our belongings were left behind. And on top of that, the government is not doing anything for us.”
Persuading stranded people to agree to leave their villages is one of the biggest challenges for authorities.
[Mohammad Ramazan, Retired Soldier]: (male, urdu)
"Soldiers were told to evacuate the region, but the people resisted. However when the water became neck deep, residents decided it was time to get out. They fled but could only take their wives, children and small belongings. Many houses have collapsed; only a few are still standing. Some livestock have also been left behind.”
When the villagers finally agreed to leave, they carried their meager belongings on their heads or in donkey carts, and moved out with their livestock, chickens and dogs trailing along.
Even if they make it out alive, their future is full of uncertainty. Like many other flood victims, they will be stuck out in the open with little food or water for a long time to come.
Pakistan's worst floods in 80 years continue to batter parts of the Punjab region on Tuesday.
The floods are swallowing villages and precious crops along a 600 mile-long trail from northern Pakistan to the south, killing more than 1,600 people.
Rescue efforts have been hampered not only by continuing rainstorms, inaccessible terrain, destroyed infrastructure and limited resources, but also by the reluctance of villagers to leave their homes.
Some villagers stay because they hope the waters will recede and they will be able to go back to farming their fields.
Others believe they can still salvage their collapsed homes even though they are surrounded by a sea of water.
[Malik Farooq Wedar, Villager]: (male, Punjabi)
"We have suffered great losses. Our houses are destroyed. All our belongings were left behind. And on top of that, the government is not doing anything for us.”
Persuading stranded people to agree to leave their villages is one of the biggest challenges for authorities.
[Mohammad Ramazan, Retired Soldier]: (male, urdu)
"Soldiers were told to evacuate the region, but the people resisted. However when the water became neck deep, residents decided it was time to get out. They fled but could only take their wives, children and small belongings. Many houses have collapsed; only a few are still standing. Some livestock have also been left behind.”
When the villagers finally agreed to leave, they carried their meager belongings on their heads or in donkey carts, and moved out with their livestock, chickens and dogs trailing along.
Even if they make it out alive, their future is full of uncertainty. Like many other flood victims, they will be stuck out in the open with little food or water for a long time to come.