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Death toll from Pakistan floods passes 1,200 as more rain forecast 

The death toll from floods in Pakistan has passed 1,200 - with more rain forecast over the next few days.

The floods have affected more than 33 million people, or one in seven Pakistanis.

Aid has been pouring into the country and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is visiting flood-hit areas to oversee rescue and relief activities.

Further rain is forecast across the country over the next few days, including the capital Islamabad, threatening to exacerbate the situation.

Health officials are reporting an outbreak of waterborne diseases in the flood-affected areas as authorities step up efforts to provide clean drinking water to hundreds of thousands of people who have lost their homes in the disaster. 

Death toll from Pakistan floods passes 1,200 as more rain forecast© Reuters

Diarrhoea, skin diseases and eye infections are spreading at relief camps set up by the government. 

Pakistan blames climate change for unusually early and heavy monsoon rains, which have caused flash floods since June.

Record monsoon rains and melting glaciers in northern mountains brought floods that have killed at least 1,208 people, including 416 children, the country's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has said. 

Death toll from Pakistan floods passes 1,200 as more rain forecast© Reuters

Meanwhile, rescuers backed by the military have continued operations to take marooned people to safer places.

Rescuers are mostly using boats, but helicopters are also flying to evacuate stranded people from areas where bridges and roads have been destroyed.

Pakistan and the United Nations have issued an appeal for £138m in emergency funding. 

Reference: Sky News: