10% of Pakistan's population exposed to flooding: UN agency

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - At least 22 million people living in Pakistan, or 10% of the population, have been potentially exposed to flooding, according to a map published by a UN agency on Wednesday.

The map, which illustrates cumulative satellite-detected water in Pakistan on Aug. 1-29, showed that "a total of about 75,000 km2 (7,500 hectares) of lands appear to be affected with flood waters amongst which 48,530 km2 (4,853 hectares) are flooded croplands," the UN Satellite Center (UNOSAT) said in a statement.

"Based on Worldpop population data and the maximum flood water coverage, at least 22 million people were potentially exposed or living close to flooded areas in August 2022," the center added.

Noting that the map is based on a preliminary analysis, the agency said that it has not yet been validated in the field.

Nearly 1,200 people have lost their lives, while more than a million houses have been destroyed or damaged since mid-June, according to Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority.

Constant rains and raging floods have already destroyed a large chunk of infrastructure and agricultural lands across the country, including tens of thousands of houses, roads, and bridges, and washed away nearly a million animals.

According to state meteorologists, the South Asian country, which is among the top 10 nations in the world vulnerable to climate change, has received over 200% more rains this year than average monsoon showers.