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Floods affect around 285,000 people in northwest Pakistan: UN

Xinhua, July 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

An estimated 285,000 people have been affected by floods in Chitral District, northwest Pakistan, said a UN spokesperson here on Thursday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that heavy monsoon rains, rapid snow melting and flooding from glacial lakes in the past week have led to flooding in various locations across Pakistan, particularly in the north-west, UN Associate Spokesperson Vannina Maestracci told a daily briefing.

"Local authorities report that Chitral District has been badly hit, with an estimated 285,000 people affected," said Maestracci, noting that the exact number of people injured is difficult to determine, due to the inaccessibility of many affected areas.

Overall, six casualties have been reported, 292 villages flooded and nearly 400 houses damaged, she added.

The Pakistani government and security forces are providing immediate help and the UN is monitoring the situation and stands ready to assist should it be requested, said Maestracci. Endite