The new death toll came a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for international help to combat deadly flood damage. More than 33 million people have been displaced. The government has declared a state of emergency to deal with monsoon floods, which began in June and continue to wreak havoc in Pakistan. Pakistan floods affect 33 million people as national emergency declared – video report The National Disaster Management Authority in its latest overnight report said 45 people were killed in flood-related incidents from Friday to Saturday. This brought the death toll since mid-June to 982 with 1,456 injured. Many areas of Pakistan have become inaccessible and rescuers are struggling to remove thousands of submerged people from flood-hit areas. Balochistan and Sindh provinces are the worst affected areas. Three people died as a result of landslides and floods in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and authorities in Nowshera called for immediate evacuation amid “very heavy flooding” in the Kabul River. Videos shared on social media showed bridges, roads and hotels submerged in water and people running to evacuate their homes. The army has been called in for rescue assistance in the province. Map Additional Deputy Commissioner Swat said on Friday that 130 km of roads were damaged and 15 bridges were completely destroyed as the flood wreaked havoc and more than 100 houses and at least 50 hotels and restaurants were also destroyed. Former prime minister Imran Khan is under fire for a planned rally on Saturday in Jhelum, in northern Punjab province, amid devastating floods. Khan was also criticized for refusing to collect money for flood relief during his visit to flood-affected areas. Khan said he could appeal for money only after assessing the damages. Khan has been holding rallies across the country since April, when he was ousted from power in a constitutional vote of no confidence. He is demanding new elections and has criticized the military and the West for orchestrating his overthrow. The planned rally was criticized on social media. Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar tweeted: “Bad taste. Thousands have been left without shelter and food. As long as the nation suffers, politics can surely wait.” Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Khalil Roonjha, a social activist leading flood relief activities with volunteers, said Khan should put aside politics and raise funds for flood relief. Roonjha said, “Khan is a national figure . He should go ahead, raise funds and help people all over Pakistan, not just where he rules. He needs to stop politicizing everything for a while.” Pakistan’s Information Minister Mariyam Aurangzaib said the entire coalition government was with the flood victims. He said: “Imran Khan refused to raise flood funds and do political fundraisers and called for political rallies. No politician anywhere in the world has acted like this in the midst of a national emergency the way Imran Khan is acting. It’s sad.” Following the criticism, PTI leader Asad Umar, a close ally of Khan, tweeted: “Tomorrow Imran Khan will hold a telethon to raise funds for flood relief efforts. Details will be announced later today.” In response to Sharif’s appeal for international aid, the United Nations has planned an emergency appeal for $160 million in donations, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Asim Iftikhar. He said in his weekly briefing on Friday that the appeal would begin on August 30.
