Pakistan braced for more flooding

Authorities were warning of more flooding this week in Pakistan while heavy rain lashed victims living in makeshift camps, adding to the urgency of a massive international relief effort under way.

Pakistan’s worst floods in recorded history began more than two weeks ago in the mountainous north-west and spread throughout the country.

Around 20 million people and 160,000 square kilometres of land – about one fifth of the country – were affected.

Sindh irrigation minister Jam Saifullah Dharejo said today a dam in Sukkur, a hard hit area in Sindh province, was facing a major test of its strength as flood waters coursed down the River Indus into Pakistan’s highly populated agricultural heartland.

He said: “The coming four to five days are still crucial.”