Floods in Pakistan kill hundreds

Parts of Pakistan have been ravaged by flooding, leaving death and destruction in its wake.The recent monsoon rains have brought the worst flooding that those regions have seen in decades.

The Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwahas been hit so hard that the full extent of the destruction is becoming evident only today, as the water levels started to drop. Entire villages were discovered to have been washed away along with food storages and livestock. But more than that, the loss of life has been the most shocking and devastating truth of all to be faced. Over 1,100 people are estimated to have lost their lives in the disaster.

The government’s response to the situation has been slow and in some parts, non-existent. Perhaps this maybe because the Pakistani government is ill equipped and unprepared for such a large scale disaster. The political landscape has always been in turmoil and in recent years the added pressure to curb the breeding of terrorism within its borders has been an added burden. Unfortunately for the people caught up in the disaster, all that has led to thousands being left in the lurch and fast running out of options for survival.

The U.S. has sent several million dollars in aid as well as rescue equipment and food rations. Islamic militants have also sent aid to the region and this could turn out to be a big blow for the Pakistani and U.S. governments. Both have been fighting the militant for a long time and have been trying to turn public sentiment against the militants. The inefficiency of the local government could have a significant impact on the war on terror unless it is corrected very soon.