Two more Pakistani towns face flood threat

KARACHI, Pakistan, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Armed forces and irrigation officials in Pakistan worked Tuesday to save two towns in the southern Sindh province from flooding, the government said.

By bolstering river defenses, officials hope to keep floodwaters out of Johi and Dadu in Pakistan's flooded south, the country's English-language newspaper Dawn reported.

"Flood waters are increasing pressure on Johi embankment while the raging waters are just five kilometers (3 miles) away from Dadu city," said Jam Saifullah Dharejo, provincial irrigation minister.

He said area residents formed a human chain to help reinforce embankments securing the two towns.

More than 21 million people have been affected by the flooding in Pakistan that began six weeks ago.

The United Nations' development chief for Asia said the world must respond to Pakistan's crisis and help to rebuild the country which was nearly 20 percent under floodwaters.

Global cash pledges to bolster rescue and relief efforts have been slow in coming.