It is a hard image to repress: 1.7 million acres of crops destroyed, nearly 1,600 people dead, and 800,000 men, women and children stranded in water the color of the caramel macchiatos we drink daily. What used to be a lifeline – the Indus River in northern Pakistan – has turned deadly. In one month, the amount of water has hit epic proportions, enough that it will take six to seven months to recede, according to CBS News.

“River flooding, as happened in Pakistan, is especially bad this way, because people tend to live alongside rivers where the ground is flat and fertile,” said Dave Dobson, associate professor and chair of the Geology department.

It began when monsoon rains struck northern Pakistan and rushed south almost a month ago. Jam Saifullah Dharejo, Sindh provincial irrigation minister, explained that high tides were inhibiting the already swollen Indus River from emptying into the Arabian Sea.

The result has been catastrophic. According to the United Nations, one-fifth of the country is under water. The floods have affected 20 million people, 200,000 people have been evacuated, and 1.2 million homes have been destroyed, according to the BBC.

Health epidemics have now also surfaced as a serious concern, as well. With dry shelter unavailable for much of the population, water-borne diseases have emerged. 1.6 million people have been affected by disease and 3.5 million children are at risk, according to National Public Radio. Almost 100,000 people require treatment for cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, skin infections, and malaria daily. These diseases are exhausting an already strained infrastructure.

“In terms of environmental damage, where there are industries that are affected, there can be significant releases of hazardous or toxic materials which can be distributed over wide areas,” Dobson said. “Sewage and water treatment systems can be destroyed or require extensive repairs.”

Pakistan’s infrastructure is crumbling. According to CNN, the floods have affected more people than the Haiti earth quake, Indian Ocean tsunami, and 2005 Pakistan earthquake combined. The New York Times reported that the floods have destroyed more than 5,000 miles of roads and railways, 7,000 schools, and more than 400 hospitals. Critical bridges have been washed away, taking with them any hope of a speedy rescue.

In many areas of Pakistan, people are marooned to trees, roofs, and various floating debris. Stranded for days, people are fighting the water, disease, and malnutrition. Even in areas able to receive aid, the sense of desperation is indisputable. Reports of looting and protests over food are adding to the chaos, according to The New York Times.

Over 30 countries have pledged $700 million. The United States alone has contributed more than $70 million according to USA Today. However, rebuilding what has been lost may cost billions of dollars.

Before the worst natural disaster in Pakistan’s history occurred, the United States pledged to spend $7.5 billion in development over the next five years. Money that was supposed to be spent on schools, hospitals, electricity and more will now be mostly spent rebuilding what the flood swept away.

Even with the $700 million dollar pledge, desperation still overwhelms most of the country. Because roads and bridges have been swept away, many can only be rescued by air. Helicopter rescues are performed daily, but it is not enough. According to CNN, 8,000-10,000 people live and sleep in the mud in the city of Sukkur.

“I don’t think Pakistan will ever fully recover, but we will move on,” President Asif Ali Zardari said to BBC news. The president also mentioned that preventative measures will be taken to protect Pakistan from future devastating forces.

Such preventative measures will be vital for Pakistan’s future, according to Dobson.

“Events like the severe rainfall that caused this flooding are likely to become more frequent in coming decades due to global warming,” Dobson said. “We’ve already seen trends toward increased precipitation around the world.”

With still more rain in the forecast, the spread of disease and the threat of more dams bursting in the south, Pakistan’s future is uncertain. However, Zardari urged his citizens to celebrate their independence day by reaching out to victims and their families.

“Do not lose hope,” said Zardari “The entire nation stands with you.