Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- Heavy monsoonal downpours worsened massive flooding in Pakistan Saturday and weather forecasts provided little hope of drying out in the next few days.
The flooding that began in the northwest threatened places as far south as the port city of Karachi. Districts in the southern province of Sindh were on high alert Saturday as more rain swelled already bloated rivers and inundated drenched earth.
Pakistan's Federal Flood Commission warned Saturday that the Indus River was flooded and rising in parts of Sindh, including Sukkur, the third largest provincial province.
As many as 12 million people have been affected by the torrential rains and floods, Pakistani authorities said. About 1,600 people have died.
Pakistan's Meteorological Department said more heavy rains were in store in the next few days, threatening to deepen the worst natural disaster Pakistan has experienced in recent history. And the monsoon season is only halfway over.
Pakistan's disaster management authority estimated that 650,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed. By comparison, the earthquake of 2005 affected 3.2 million people and damaged or destroyed 611,000 homes. CNN
