Pakistan: Flood water covers a third of the country

Video caption, Secunder Kermani reports on the floods in Pakistan

The United Nation's (UN) secretary general has urged the world to help Pakistan, after flood water covered a third of the country.

Starting a $160m appeal to help the tens of millions affected in the disaster, the secretary general Antonio Guterres blamed unprecedented "levels of rain and flooding".

The country has experienced the heaviest rainfall in more than ten years.

"Let's stop sleepwalking towards the destruction of our planet by climate change. Today, it's Pakistan. Tomorrow, it could be your country," Guterres said.

The floods have been caused by the Indus River bursting its banks, a huge river that has overflowed after an intense period of rain during the monsoon season.

The flooding has affected more than 33 million people - over 15% of the country's population - as torrential rains have washed away roads, crops, homes and bridges with emergency services leading rescue efforts using boats and helicopters.

The country's National Disaster Management Authority said that more than 1,000 people have died so far as a result of the monsoon rains.

The monsoon, or rainy season takes place every year in Pakistan between the months of June and September. It is a normal part of Pakistan's weather cycle and the heavy rain helps to water crops, but it can also cause floods and landslides.

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Rescue workers have been using boats and helicopters to rescue people

The government has issued warnings to the thousands of people living near to the river, ordering them to evacuate their homes, to safety.

Authorities have warned that more flooding is on the way over the next few days.

Pakistan's planning minister Ahsan Iqbal has warned of serious food shortages in the coming weeks and months.

He also called on richer countries to help Pakistan financially as he said it was a victim of climate change, which had been caused by the "irresponsible development of the developed world".

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Volunteers have been handing out food and water to families who have lost their homes because of the flooding

The US, UK, United Arab Emirates and other countries have all sent aid to help the country, but officials have said that more is needed.

The UK government has sent around 拢1.5 million for the relief effort.

Lord Tariq Ahmad, the UK Minister of State for South and Central Asia said: "My thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and their families, and I would like to pay tribute to everyone involved in the relief efforts.

"We are also working directly with the Pakistan authorities to establish what further assistance and support they require. The UK stands with the people of Pakistan during this time of need."

Why is the flooding in Pakistan so bad?

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Families have been urged to evacuate their homes in areas that are likely to flood

Pakistan's prime minister has said this year's flooding is similar to that of 2010-2011, the worst flooding the country had ever seen.

Officials in Pakistan have said climate change is to blame for the devastation - the country's climate change minister Sherry Rehman described the situation as a "climate-induced humanitarian disaster of epic proportions."

"Literally, one-third of Pakistan is underwater right now, which has exceeded every boundary, every norm we've seen in the past," Ms Rehman told the AFP news agency.

However, poor local government planning, such building houses and other important buildings in areas prone to seasonal flooding are also said to be a factor in the severity of the damage.