Rising lake forces thousands to flee in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes Monday as a rising lake threatened dozens of villages in southern Pakistan’s Sindh province.

The water level of Manchhar Lake mounted to 119 feet, just two feet short of its water-containing capacity, Geo News reported.

A state of emergency has been announced at the Lake as its bunds are under huge pressure with water pouring from different canals.

The flow from various canals has submerged at least 42 villages including tehsil Juhi and Sehwan city. People living in affected areas fled in large number.

Floods that began in late July have devastated one-fifth of Pakistan, killed over 1,700 people and affected about 21 million. The government has estimated more than $43 billion would be needed to rehabilitate the displaced people and raise the devastated infrastructure again.