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Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has asked for international aid to combat deadly flood damage in the impoverished country as rescuers struggle to evacuate thousands of people trapped in flood-hit areas.
Mr Sharif’s appeal on Twitter comes as torrential rains continue to ravage Pakistan, with the death toll reaching 937 since mid-June, more than a third of them children.
The crisis forced the government to declare a state of emergency.
“Continued rains have wreaked havoc across the country,” he tweeted, thanking other countries and groups for their support.
“We will rebuild better together.”
He then met with foreign diplomats and representatives of international aid agencies to brief them on the damage.
A government statement quoted Mr Sharif as saying 300 children were among the dead.
Mr Sharif said the damage caused by rain and flooding was worse this time around than in 2010, when floods killed 1,700 people.
He blamed the tragedy on the “horror of climate change”.
TV footage from Pakistan on Friday showed a raging Swat river destroying the famous new Honeymoon Hotel in the northwestern tourist resort of Kalam.
Visitors and staff left the hotel in accordance with government evacuation instructions on Wednesday, with no casualties.
Floods have damaged 170,000 homes, washed out roads and destroyed nearly 150 bridges, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.
Although the floodwaters have receded in some areas, conditions in Sindh have deteriorated and rescuers are using boats to evacuate people.
Thousands of people affected by the floods are living in makeshift homes and tents.
Mr Sharif visited flood-hit areas in Sindh on Friday to reassure flood victims of the government’s support.
About 6,500 Pakistani soldiers are participating in the search and rescue operation, and more than 40,000 people have been evacuated so far.
The United Nations said on Thursday it had allocated $3 million (£2.5 million) to the UN aid agency and its partners in Pakistan to deal with the flooding.
“This will be used for health, nutrition, food security and water and sanitation services in flood-affected areas, with a focus on the most vulnerable,” the UN said.
The monsoon rains in Pakistan usually start in July.
But it started to rain heavily in June this year, causing flooding.
Scientists say climate change is a major factor behind the unusually severe weather that is making life miserable for millions of people.
Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman said the immediate challenge was saving lives and arranging tents and food for those left homeless by the floods.
“This is a humanitarian disaster on a grand scale, with thousands homeless, many without food and people trapped,” Ms Lehman said.
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