Ahsan Iqbal, Minister of planning, development and special projects of Pakistan, said on the 29th that according to preliminary estimates, the losses caused by the floods in the country exceeded US $10 billion, resulting in more than 1130 deaths, and the international community's assistance is urgently needed. In an interview with Reuters, Iqbal said that Pakistan has suffered "huge" losses, which are preliminarily estimated to exceed $10 billion. He believes that this year's flood is more serious than that in 2010. That year, more than 2000 people died in Pakistan. "At present, we have lost thousands of lives. Nearly 1 million houses have been damaged... People have lost their livelihood," Iqbal said. Because a large area of land has been flooded, 45% of the country's cotton crops have been destroyed, rice fields and vegetables and fruits have been seriously damaged, and wheat planting in the South has also been affected. Iqbal said it may take five years to recover and rebuild. According to Reuters, the flood inundated crops and blocked traffic, causing food prices in Pakistan to soar. Pakistan appeals to the international community for help. Some countries have provided materials and dispatched rescue teams to Pakistan. Pakistan's foreign minister bilawar Bhutto Zardari said on the 28th that financial assistance was needed to cope with the flood. He hoped that the International Monetary Fund and other financial institutions could consider the economic impact of the flood on Pakistan. According to Iqbal, Pakistan is currently working with the world bank and the Asian Development Bank to assess the scale of the disaster so as to submit a formal request for financial assistance. Pakistan is located in the South Asian subcontinent, with large rainfall in monsoon and rainy season every year, and floods often occur. However, affected by climate change, this year's monsoon season is ahead of schedule, and the rainfall has increased significantly. This heavy rainfall has affected all provinces of Pakistan. According to the data of Pakistan's National Disaster Management Bureau, since mid June, the severe disasters caused by monsoon rainfall in the country have caused at least 1136 deaths and more than 1600 injuries, affecting more than 33 million residents, accounting for more than 15% of Pakistan's total population. According to the associated press, at least 6500 Pakistani soldiers participated in the disaster relief operation, evacuating the trapped people and delivering relief materials. The weather forecast shows that Pakistan is less likely to rain this week. However, Pakistan's Climate Change Minister Sheri Rahman and meteorologists warned that more precipitation is expected to hit parts of Pakistan next month. Stefana diyarik, spokesman of the Secretary General of the United Nations, warned at a news conference on the 29th: "with the arrival of more continuous rainfall, the situation (Pakistan) is expected to deteriorate." (news agency)