The floods continue to wreak havoc across the country. The latest reports show Sindh as being the province hit the worst by the unending disaster. According to the Federal Flood Commission‘s Daily Flood Situation Report for August 20, Sindh has the greatest number of affected villages (4,359) and people (almost 3.7 million). More houses have been damaged in Sindh than any other province (over 211,000) and, so far, it also has the most acres of damaged crop land (1.6 million). More heads of cattle (126,216) have perished in Sindh than all other areas of the country combined (32,196).

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, things could get much worse, very soon.

The PMD’s Flood Forecasting Division released a new warning at 3:30pm on August 20, stating that there was a “significant flood forecast for River Indus at Kotri” over the next 48 — 72 hours. Kotri is in south-central Sindh and the barrage there is the last one along the Indus as it heads south to the sea.

According to prevailing hydrological conditions the flood wave has reached at Kotri and the River has attained a Very High Flood level at Kotri with inflow 702,338 Cusecs at 1500 PST. It shall continue rising and is likely to attain an Exceptionally High Flood level ranging between 750,000 to 875,000 Cusecs during next 2 to 3 days.

The River Indus at Kotri shall remain at High Flood level, about 600,000 Cusecs, around the next two weeks.

Under this scenario, the inundation and riverine flooding is expected at low-lying areas of District Hyderabad, Thatta and adjoining areas along the riverbed.

All concerned authorities are requested to take precautionary measures to avoid loss of human lives and property.

The “Exceptionally High Flood level” will test the dam at Kotri. “The barrage has the capacity to withstand a flow of 875,000 cubic feet per second,” said Abdul Qadir Paleejo, executive engineer at the dam that spans the Indus, earlier this month to reporters for Businessweek.

Is the government ready and able to do whatever is necessary to save lives? Is it prepared for the worst? Because from here on in relief and rescue work only gets harder: roads are already washed away, bridges are broken and rail links gone, while people are weak, getting sick and helpless.

Here is a video showing what some Pakistanis have had to live through: