CNN 2010-08-10

In the heartland of Pakistan, they fought to save their livelihood¹. In the village of Chachran Sharif, people depend on livestock² for a living. So when rising floodwaters buried part of their village, they packed their animals on boats and headed across a lake that wasn't there just a week ago.

 

"These animals fight you," said Mohammed Actor (ph), "but I had to take it if I wanted to save them." This is Pakistan's newest disaster zone, southern Punjab province and northern Sim. Monsoon³ rains have pounded this region⁴, breaking the balks⁵ of the nearby Indus river, adding more pressure are the northern floodwaters from earlier this week flowing south.

 

Thousands of villages are now underwater⁶, officials say, those who live there, homeless.

 

"Our homes are gone," said Mohammed. "Nothing is left.

 

This is Imam Bath. He's 80 years old. He says he lost his home in the floods, and for the past five days this is where he's stayed. He's taken two cots and made it into a roof. He says he's had one meal today, a bowl of rice. That's it. He's here with his six family members, and he's one of thousands of people who have lost their homes in this village.

 

Villagers here say one private aid group finally arrived a day earlier, but the rice they handed out didn't last long. Here, too, there's growing anger over the government's perceived⁷ slow response and President's Asif Ali Zardari's trip to Europe.

 

The president, the prime⁸ minister, where they are? We have elected them, and now where they are? They have promised with us, we will give you all the help that we will give you, rescue, and now where they are? Our president in France, in London?

 

With more monsoon rains in the forecast, many left the area. Others waited, exhausted⁹ and anxious. "We can't do anything right now," said Mohammed. "We're poor people, and we need help." But for many here the worst may have yet to come.

 

Reza Sayah, CNN, Chachran Sharif, Pakistan.
 

1 livelihood   

n.生计，谋生之道

参考例句：

• Appropriate arrangements will be made for their work and livelihood.他们的工作和生活会得到妥善安排。
• My father gained a bare livelihood of family by his own hands.父亲靠自己的双手勉强维持家计。

2 livestock   

n.家畜，牲畜

参考例句：

• Both men and livestock are flourishing.人畜两旺。
• The heavy rains and flooding killed scores of livestock.暴雨和大水淹死了许多牲口。

3 monsoon   

n.季雨，季风，大雨

参考例句：

• The monsoon rains started early this year.今年季雨降雨开始得早。
• The main climate type in that region is monsoon.那个地区主要以季风气候为主要气候类型。

4 region   

n.地区，地带，区域；范围，幅度

参考例句：

• The students went to study the geology of that region.学生们去研究那个地区的地质情况。
• It is unusual to see snow in this region.这个地区难得见到雪。

5 balks   

v.畏缩不前，犹豫( balk的第三人称单数 )；（指马）不肯跑

参考例句：

• They braced up the old house with balks of timber. 他们用梁木加固旧房子。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 underwater   

adj.在水中的；adv.在水下

参考例句：

• I've never seen anyone stay underwater that long.我从没见过有人在水下呆那么久。
• This machine has been specially adapted for use underwater.这机器是为水下使用而特别改装的。

7 perceived   

v.感觉( perceive的过去式和过去分词 )；视为；认为；理解为

参考例句：

• I perceived a change in his behaviour. 我注意到他举止有些改变。
• On entering his house, we at once perceived him to be tasteful. 我们一进他的房子，立刻感觉到他是个高品位的人。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 prime   

adj.首要的，主要的；最好的，第一流的

参考例句：

• The prime minister spoke of the general insecurity in the country.总理谈到了全国普遍存在的不安全。
• He met with the Prime Minister of Japan for an hour.他和日本首相会见了一个小时。

9 exhausted   

adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的

参考例句：

• It was a long haul home and we arrived exhausted.搬运回家的这段路程特别长，到家时我们已筋疲力尽。
• Jenny was exhausted by the hustle of city life.珍妮被城市生活的忙乱弄得筋疲力尽。