Appeal launch as floods move south

Flood warnings were issued for Punjab province in Pakistan's east and Sindh province in the south, where rivers were rising to dangerous levels.

More than 1,500 people have been killed by the floods in Pakistan over the last week and affected three million more.

After causing huge destruction in the north-west, the centre of the fight against al-Qaida and the Taliban, floods have moved south across the country and drowned villages and some towns in Punjab, the richest and most populous province.

The army used boats and helicopters to move stranded villagers to higher ground. Some of those fleeing carried kitchen utensils and pots and pans. Others held children in their arms.

Much of the flooding is from the River Indus, which originates in the Himalayas and travels through Pakistani to the sea.

The floods are the worst to hit Pakistan's north-west since 1929, and Sindh is expecting the floods to be the worst there in 34 years.

Major General Nadir Zeb, the region's army commander, said many had ignored flood warnings and only realised the danger of the situation when water entered their cities, towns and villages.

"They risked their lives, but we are reaching them," he said.

In the north-west rescue workers have struggled to deliver aid because of washed-out bridges and roads. Several countries, including the US, have stepped in to help, but many flood victims have complained that aid is not reaching them fast enough or at all, expressing anger that could grow as floods spread to new areas.

UK charities yesterday launched an appeal for money for the flood-hit nation.

The Disasters Emergency Committee started broadcasting appeals on TV and radio, presented by former Beirut hostage John McCarthy, asking for donations.

The DEC said: "In the aftermath of the floods there is a serious risk to survivors from potentially deadly diseases which will spread as a result of contaminated surface and drinking water."

Its Pakistan Floods Appeal involves special broadcasts on the BBC, ITV, Sky, Channel 4, Channel Five and independent radio stations.

The UK has donated 5m through Unicef to support emergency relief for 800,000 people on top of 5m already donated to the Pakistan Emergency Response Fund.

Monsoon season in Pakistan usually lasts about three months, ending in mid-September.

In a typical year, the country gets an average 5.4in of rain.

This year it had already received 6.3in, said Muhammad Hanif, head of the National Weather Forecasting Centre in Islamabad.

The rains are falling about 25 to 30 per cent more than normal rates, Mr Hanif said.

The north-west of the country experienced "once-in-a-century" rains, hitting it the hardest. Rain is expected there in coming days, though at normal levels that should allow some recovery.