Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has visited flood-affected areas in the south of the country after his much-criticised trip abroad during the crisis. During his first visit to areas hit by the disaster, Mr Zardari met flood victims in the southern city of Sukkur, distributed aid in a relief camp, and promised help for those in need. Mr Zardari has defended his decision not to cut short a visit to France and Britain last week to deal with the flood crisis. Water levels in Punjab and the southern province of Sindh are receding, but more flows are expected in the next week. Doctors in relief camps say the main problems facing survivors include gastroenteritis, diarrhoeal disease, skin infections, and increasing cases of malaria from stagnant water.