In pics: Dreadful state of flood victims in Pakistan, thousands sleep in open
Impacted 33 million people
The deluge, brought by record monsoon rains and glacial melt in northern mountains, has impacted 33 million people out of a population of 220 million, sweeping away homes, vehicles, crops and livestock in damage estimated at $30 billion.
1,486 dead
The tally of the dead stands at 1,486, with about 530 children among them, the National Disaster Management Authority said, as it released its first country-wide total since Sept. 9.
Thousands homeless
Hundreds of thousands of people have been made homeless by flooding in the southern Sindh province, with many sleeping by the side of elevated highways to protect themselves from the water.
No tents
Still, one-third of the homeless in Sindh don't even have a tent to protect them from the elements, he said.
Fodder shortage
Over the last few weeks, authorities have built barriers to keep the flood waters out of key structures such as power stations and homes, while farmers who stayed to try and save their cattle have faced a new threat as fodder has begun to run out.
Climate change to blame
The government and the United Nations have blamed climate change for the surging waters in the wake of record-breaking summer temperatures.
Sindh worst affected
Pakistan received 391 mm (15.4 inches) of rain, or nearly 190% more than the 30-year average, in July and August. That climbed to 466% for Sindh province, one of the worst-affected areas.
Aid from US and UAE
Aid flights from the United Arab Emirates and the United States arrived on Thursday, the foreign ministry said. The United Nations is assessing reconstruction needs.
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