PETALING JAYA: Malaysians living in flood-hit Pakistan have mostly been spared the horror of losing their homes, but they have to deal with dirty water and spiralling prices of food.

“Usually, we could get vegetables for around 100 to 200 rupees (RM1.97 to RM3.95) per kilogram, but now the price has gone up to 280 to 400 rupees (RM5.36 to RM7.89),” said Nabilah Malik, a businesswoman from Johor who currently resides in Islamabad.

Even the variety of vegetables available in the markets had decreased substantially, she said.

Nabilah, 36, said the price of fuel had also gone up.

“Before the flood, the price for a gas cylinder cost around 205 to 215 rupees (RM4.04 to RM4.24) per kilogram but now it costs almost 350 rupees (RM6.83) per kilogram,” she added.

The supply of gas was much lower than the demand for it, she noted, voicing concern because gas was essential not only for cooking but also for warmth as Pakistan heads into the winter season.

Record monsoon rains in parts of Pakistan had led to floods that affected about 33 million people.

A Reuters report stated that Pakistan received 391mm of rain, or nearly 190% more than the 30-year average in the past two months.

The southern province of Sindh is one of the worst hit areas.

Nabilah said most Malaysians she knows do not live in any of the affected regions such as Sindh or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

“I have checked on my Malaysian friends through WhatsApp and Facebook groups. I am relieved to hear that they are all safe,” she added.

Another Malaysian, who only wants to be known as Nur Farah, said she was concerned about the supply of food, clean water and electricity, which is often interrupted due to the collapse of major electrical substations.

The heavy rainfall had contaminated the water that is pumped from the ground, making it more difficult for her to obtain clean water.

“Food staples such as onions, tomatoes and poultry have sky-rocketed in price after the flood severely damaged many farms and crops.

“We have to limit our purchase of groceries and only buy what we can afford. Just imagine how difficult this would be for underprivileged people in Pakistan,” said Nur Farah, a 29-year-old homemaker who relocated to Punjab with her husband and three children in 2019.

In addition to the rising cost of essential goods, she said, electricity, mobile networks and Internet connections were routinely interrupted as a result of the floods.

“I could not access the Internet most of the time and because of that, it has become very difficult for me to contact my family and loved ones back in Malaysia,” said Nur Farah, who is very disturbed by the many lives lost and homes destroyed.

As of Thursday, almost 1,500 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands of people were still sleeping in the open air.

According to the High Commission of Malaysia in Pakistan, a total of 153 Malaysians were registered with them, most of whom are located in Islamabad and Karachi.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/09/18/malaysians-in-flood-hit-pakistan-worry-over-food-prices-dirty-water