双语新闻：巴基斯坦：受灾民众达1200万

Pakistan: 12 Million Affected by Devastating Floods

巴基斯坦：受灾民众达1200万

Pakistani officials say 12 million people have been affected by floodwaters that have ravaged the northwest and now are sweeping southward, forcing thousands more to flee their homes.

巴基斯坦官员说，1200万民众受到洪灾侵害，给巴基斯坦西北部造成重创的洪水正在向南部挺进，迫使数万人逃离家园。

National Disaster Management Authority chairman Nadim Ahmed said Friday the latest figure applied to the northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and central Punjab provinces.

国家灾难管理局主任艾哈迈德星期五说，最新的数据包括了西北部的开伯尔-普赫图赫瓦省和中部的旁遮普省的灾民。

The water is now flowing into the southern province of Sindh, where authorities have so far evacuated more than 500,000 people. United Nations officials say 11 districts are at risk of flooding, as heavy monsoon rains continue.

洪水现在正在涌进南部的信德省，当局目前已经撤离了50多万人。联合国官员说，随着季风雨的继续，有11个区可能面临水灾。

The nearly two-week disaster has killed more than 1,500 people. Floodwaters have washed away homes, roads, and bridges, cutting off entire communities

将近两周来的水灾导致1500多人丧生。不断上升的水位冲垮了房屋、道路和桥梁，许多社区被完全隔离。

U.N. officials say relief and rescue efforts have been hampered by poor weather conditions, with helicopters in the northwestern Swat Valley grounded on Friday.

联合国官员说，救济物资和救援工作受到恶劣天气的阻挠。在西北部斯瓦特山谷进行救援的直升机星期五被迫停飞。

Many Pakistanis are criticizing what they say is a slow government response, as well as President Asif Ali Zardari's decision to travel to Europe during the floods.

很多巴基斯坦民众对政府的救灾反应迟缓以及扎尔达里总统在洪灾期间决定前往欧洲的决定提出批评。