The United Nations launched an appeal to raise almost $460m (€357m) for flood-hit Pakistan tonight.

PRESIDENT Asif Ali Zardari returned yesterday to flood-ravaged Pakistan, where he faced a storm of criticism for visiting Europe as his country was gripped by what his government called the nation’s worst natural disaster.

PAKISTAN issued fresh flood warnings, braced for further chaos and a public health disaster as disease broke out among 3.2 million people hit by the worst floods in generations.

The United Nations is appealing for $543m (€390m) to ease what it describes as the “incredible suffering” of refugees from Pakistan’s war against Taliban militants.