Islamabad, 22 August 2022 (TDI): The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, postponed his trip to Europe because of the Monsoon Floods in South Punjab, Sindh, and Baluchistan.
Heavy monsoon rains struck Pakistan in mid-June, which caused significant fatalities, injuries, and infrastructure damage. In the past two months, the monsoon has been disastrous for more than a million people all over the country.
rescheduled Europe trip following devastating #MonsoonFloods in S. Punjab, Sindh & Blouchistan. 2 months we’ve been inundated w/ catastrophic monsoon. W/ 7th spell coming to an end in Sindh we fear these will be worse thn 2010/11 super floods. anticipate 8th spell in a few days. https://t.co/HHDmQ1YLeh pic.twitter.com/DqTkQf50wr
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) August 22, 2022
Monsoon Season 2022 in Pakistan
Since the start of the monsoon, heavy rain has caused houses to collapse, flash floods, mudslides, and landslides. Higher temperatures and heavy rain caused Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) in mountainous areas of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), almost 700 people have now lost their lives as a result of weeks of monsoon rains in Pakistan. The Monsoon has affected over 1.5 million people and thousands are moving to relief camps for safety.
Balochistan has seen the most fatalities, with 207 fatalities and 81 injuries since the beginning of the monsoon season. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province has recorded 138 deaths, Punjab 144, and Sindh 159.
Many poorly built homes frequently collapsed during storms and periods of high rain, resulting in many fatalities. The rain flood damaged not only people and property but crops, cattle, and animal shelters.
There is also a crisis of food security and shelter for the affected people. The government of Pakistan has provided PKR5 Billion to the flood victims. Additionally, the government is also in the process of creating relief funds for flood-affected people.
Foreign Minister’s Europe Tour
The Foreign minister of Pakistan planned to visit Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway at the invitation of his counterparts. The tour was dated from 22 August to 26 August 2022.
The visits would consolidate and expand bilateral relations between Pakistan with each country. The tour would also allow Pakistan to strengthen its ties with Europe.
Also Read: Foreign Minister of Pakistan to visit Europe
