Some Pakistani expatriates in the UAE have reported suffering significant losses to their businesses and homes, amounting to millions of rupees, due to the devastating floods in Pakistan. Many have also been unable to reach their loved ones because of telecom service disruptions.
Pakistanis in the UAE told Khaleej Times that thousands of homes have been severely damaged, and dozens of family members have been swept away by floods caused by heavy rains and cloudbursts in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Almost 400 people have died as heavy monsoon rains caused widespread flooding across the South Asian country in recent days. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been the most affected province.
“I suffered a loss of Rs15 million (Dh194,500) after my petrol station was damaged. This included losses of petrol and diesel, as the entire station was flooded during the heavy rains,” said UAE resident Saif-ur-Rehman Ghazi, who hails from the Buner district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Fortunately, there was no loss of life in his immediate family, and his house remained safe during the disaster.
“But there has been a massive loss of life and property in neighboring villages. Around 45 people lost their lives while attending a wedding. They were close family members. Thirty bodies have been recovered so far, and the search for others is still ongoing,” he said during the interview.
Ghazi added that he has not been able to contact his relatives and friends in the neighboring village due to a lack of electricity and a non-functional telecommunication network for the past five days.
Abdullah Mustafa Khan, a UAE resident for 20 years, said roads were closed for two days, making it impossible to access his village.
“In Bishnoi village, almost 90 percent of homes have been damaged. More than 4,000 homes have been severely affected in the area and its surroundings. News of the damage is slowly emerging as the network is being restored. There was no electricity or mobile network in our district. I have not been able to speak to my friends or relatives since the heavy rains began. Entire villages were swept away, including six government schools,” he said.
Atta ur Rahman, a spokesperson for the Sarhad Rural Support Program, said 800 food packages have been distributed among flood-affected families in Buner and Swat. Additionally, a free medical camp has been established to provide healthcare – especially to children and women in the area.
He added that the non-governmental organization is also distributing drinking water, blankets, hygiene kits, and other essential supplies.
“We are also providing tools to residents so they can remove mud from their homes and shops after the floods and begin to return to normal life,” he added.
Ghazi, who is also a social worker both in the UAE and in Pakistan, said his brothers and sisters – who are doctors – have set up a relief camp to help flood victims in the area.
