Frenetic efforts to repair a 20 foot breach in the barrage guarding the major Sindhi city of Shahdadkot succeeded in keeping the city from being washed away. As it is, 90% of the urban area that once housed 300,000 has now been affected by the rushing flood waters. Relief officials say that the period through early morning Sunday is critical.
American and Pakistani officials fear that the disruptions of the flood may afford an opportunity to Muslim radical vigilantes to recruit and to spread their influence among the affected population.
The UN is afraid that the flooding will wipe out millions of livestock. As it is, nearly 7 million tons of wheat stocks have been swept away or damaged.
Aljazeera English reports on the danger of disease outbreaks in Pakistan, where 20 million have been displaced and the flooding has often made the water supply unsanitary.
Aljazeera English reports on the difficulty the UN has had in raising money from donors to meet the dire needs of Pakistan (though just in the past day or two there has been a significant advance in fundraising:
Among the donor countries is India, whose offer to help with a $5 million monetary donation was accepted by the government of PM Yousuf Raza Gilani, despite the controversies provoked by that move. India and Pakistan have fought several wars against one another and are divided over the Kashmir issue. The proffering and acceptance of Indian aid by the Pakistani defense ministries is extremely important and could lead to better relations between the two countries.
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