Pakistani PM says floods death toll rises to 1,752

Gilani told a high-level meeting that the recent unprecedented floods have played havoc in 79 out of 124 districts of the country, causing massive damages to the standing crops, spreading over an area of 1.3 million acres, destroying physical infrastructure, bridges, roads, schools, health center, buildings and residences besides displacing millions of people.

"In my visits to the flooded areas all over the country, I have witnessed horrible tales of fear and deprivation. I have seen that people have lost their shelters, livestock and livelihoods," said the prime minister at the meeting called to discuss post-floods situation.

The meeting, attended by chief ministers of the four provinces and senior officials, discussed the reconstruction phase and a plan to give cash to the affected people, the prime minister office said.

"Innocent children are threatened with diseases and malnutrition. Expecting mothers do not have bare minimum essential nutrients for nourishment. Around 20 million people are seeking help, from all available resources," Gilani said.

About 1,000 bridges and over 4,000 km of long roads have been damaged, re-construction of which would cost 8 to 9 billion rupees (US$94 to US$106 million), 20 percent of the irrigation infrastructure, livestock and crops have been destroyed, and the power supplies corporations cumulative losses exceed 13 billion rupees (US$153 million), the meeting was told; Kazinform cites China Daily.

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