Rescuers in Pakistan scramble to save residents as rivers reach dangerous levels

Rescue workers evacuate villagers from a flooded area in Pakistan. Picture: Asim Tanveer/AP

Rescuers backed by the military have raced to evacuate thousands of people from flooded villages near the city of Jalalpur Pirwala in eastern Pakistan, officials said, as authorities struggled to shore up embankments against rising waters.

The flooding has affected nearly 142,000 people in the area, relief commissioner Nabil Javed said.