Thousands flee as Pakistan river bursts banks

THOUSANDS of Pakistanis were fleeing their homes today after the Indus River broke its banks and flooded new areas, officials said.

Around 175,000 people were believed to have been evacuated from the Thatta district of Pakistan’s Sindh Province, a senior government official said.

Authorities in Pakistan were trying to repair the broken levee and arrange transport for people trying to leave.

UN spokesman Maurizio Giuliano said according to reports around one million people had been displaced in Pakistan’s Thatta and Qambar-Shadadkot districts since Wednesday.

UN aid agencies and relief groups have been providing help and vital supplies over the past month.

But the Pakistani Taliban has hinted that it might attack foreign aid workers helping with the floods crisis.

Pakistani Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq said: “This horde of foreigners is not acceptable to us at all.”

UN humanitarian chief John Holmes said: “We will obviously take these threats seriously, and take appropriate precautions, but we will not be deterred from doing what we believe we need to do, which is help the people of Pakistan.”