NAWABSHAH, Sept 6: MPA Ghulam Qadir Chandio has said that 98 per cent standing crop of cotton on 452,000 acres has been destroyed throughout Shaheed Benazirabad district during the recent rainfall and almost 300,000 houses damaged.

He was talking to reporters after a press conference addressed by Chairman of Baitul Maal Zamrud Khan on Tuesday

He said that almost 50 per cent of standing crops of sugarcane and banana and 300,000 houses were also severely damaged. Thirteen people died in rain-related incidents whereas a large number was injured, they added.

They further said that the total rainfall recorded during a few days starting from Aug 29 reached 350mm on Tuesday whereas the total rainfall during the last fortnight was more than 430mm which was not less than a natural disaster.

Ghulam Chandio and Zamrud Khan said that some 17,176 ration bags and 5,973 tents were distributed among rain victims in various parts of the district. They said that 100 rice bags of 50 kilograms were also distributed in relief camps established in the four talukas of the district whereas medical aid was provided to 17,000 patients in medical camps established in the rain-hit areas.

Some 30 pumps were being used to drain out water from roads and important buildings, they added. They said MNA Faryal Talpur had managed to get help from the City District Government of Karachi for relief works.

They said that 73 excavators were busy in irrigation-related work and all the government officials and workers and office-bearers of Pakistan People's Party were busy relief activities.