Heli Tale

Diary Khan brings for you an account of the Chinook sortie made last month from Multan airbase to Rojhan. Photo courtesy: Farrukh Asif

A neighboourhood that once was.

I am watching Foriegn Minister Qureshi speak at the UN in New York, telling the world that 20% of Pakistan's land mass is under water. No doubt the devastation is huge.Had it not been for the sortie made by Pakistan Army helicopters, no one would have been able to reach an area as far as Rojhan that has been further deserted because of road access cut off. That is why I see many journalists mostly foriegn , gather at ISPR Multan early morning.

The Chinook rose to a significant height, and all that we see below us on the ground is just water . Water, that has submerged almost all farmland of South Punjab. As I wonder if this land will ever be cultivable again, Viladi from Swedish radio, sitting across me shakes his head, signalling to me that he is scared of what he sees-water and only water with tree tops popping out throughout our sortie that lasts an hour .

Viladi has covered major natural disasters like the Haiti Earthquake and Tsunami in Indonesia. There is no comparison with Pakistan floods, he tells me when we land at Rojhan . Port au Prince was just one city that was destroyed.It was easier to help there also becuase the entire world had extended whole hearted help.He is in shock at what he sees in Pakistan. Relief and reconstruction would be very difficult according to him , given the way affected areas lie all across Pakistan.

Viladi ( left) on theChinook, worried about what he has seen below

In the evening as I give my report on Express 24/7 ,I get a chance to speak with Wajid Shamsul Hassan, Pakistan's high commissioner to UK. He is not only happy with the response of international community but also does not think much of criticism on the government for leaving a vacum in rescue and relief.I remind him of the helplessness of the flood victims and that time was short to act.I am not sure if he understood completely .

Your breadbasket under water

1500,the figure of death toll is in no way reflective of the destruction that the flood water has brought with it. The stagnant water
has taken all the germs from the ground that will make it the breeding ground for death via disease.

Pakistanis and Donors and foriegn governments, need to realise that more lives can be saved ,but only if we act now with all heart and soul .