KARACHI/BADIN, Pakistan (Reuters) – Monsoon rain crippled Pakistan’s biggest city Karachi on Tuesday, and the unpopular government came under pressure to provide relief for about 300,000 people left homeless by floods in the south. Pakistan, regarded as one of the world’s most unstable countries, is haunted by memories of epic floods last year, which brought widespread criticism of the government because of its slow response.
More than 800,000 families remain without permanent shelter from the 2010 country-wide floods, aid groups say, and more than a million need food assistance.
Pakistani leaders face a new crisis as monsoon rains which have killed 226 people sweep through the southern province of Sindh.
Flood waters have destroyed or damaged 1.2 million houses and flooded 4.5 million acres (1.8 million hectares) since late August, disaster management officials and Western aid groups say.
In Karachi, the capital of Sindh, few people made it to work or school and more rain forecast through yesterday raised the possibility of extended disruptions.
Many streets were impassable, cars were stuck and several fuel stations were inundated.
He said no casualties had been recorded.
Many banks were also closed in Karachi, Pakistan’s economic engine.
In the countryside, flood victims condemned the government, echoing sentiment during last year’s disaster.