Latest news with #FaizullahFiraq
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan under glacial flood warning as heavy monsoon rains batter Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Pakistan has issued a glacial flood warning for its northwestern regions as the country faces above-average monsoon rainfall, raising fears of disasters similar to the catastrophic 2022 floods, Al Jazeera reported on Saturday. Local residents walk past bulldozers removing debris to clear the way at a site of landslides triggered by flash floods following heavy monsoon rains, on a highway near the Chilas district, northern Pakistan, Friday, July 25, 2025.(AP) As per Al Jazeera, citing Anwar Shahzad, spokesperson for Pakistan's Provincial Disaster Management Authority, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan is experiencing significantly heavier rains compared to the same time last year, prompting authorities to issue weather alerts for possible glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Earlier this month, officials in an advisory warned that persistently high temperatures could accelerate the melting of snow and glaciers, potentially leading to weather-related disasters in vulnerable areas and highlighting the ongoing effects of climate change in Pakistan. Spokesperson Faizullah Firaq of the Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) government reported widespread destruction in certain areas, including damage to homes, infrastructure, agricultural land, and businesses. Rescue operations are underway along the Babusar Highway, where flash floods hit nine villages, Al Jazeera reported. Helicopters were deployed to evacuate stranded tourists from Fairy Meadows, a popular tourist destination in the PoGB region. Abdul Samad from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Department said more than 500 tourists were safely evacuated from Naran after a cloudburst on Friday night triggered landslides and road closures. Heavy machinery is being used to clear debris and reopen access roads. In PoGB, authorities have distributed emergency supplies, including tents, food, and medicine, to flood-hit communities. On Tuesday, a cloudburst caused floods and landslides in the region, resulting in three deaths and the temporary stranding of over 200 tourists, who were later rescued, Al Jazeera reported. Zakir Hussein, head of the Disaster Management Authority of the region, said that while weather alerts help reduce tourist numbers in at-risk areas, they aren't always enough. "Generally, tourists pay attention to our warning notices. Those who still choose to come are either those who did not see the warning or those who have some urgency to visit... At the end of the day, it is weather prediction, but considering the severity of the consequences, people should take it seriously," Hussein told Al Jazeera. Although monsoon rains are a regular and vital part of South Asia's climate--supporting agriculture and water supplies--their negative impact has intensified due to rapid urbanisation, inadequate drainage systems, and increasingly frequent extreme weather events driven by climate change. This year's monsoon, which continues through mid-September, has already claimed 260 lives across Pakistan, as reported by Al Jazeera. The 2022 floods, by comparison, submerged a third of the country, killed over 1,700 people, and displaced more than 30 million. Despite being home to more than 7,000 glaciers--the most outside the polar regions--Pakistan remains among the world's most climate-vulnerable nations, while contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Pakistan issues Glacial Flood warning amid heavy monsoon rains
Pakistan has issued a glacial flood warning for its northwestern regions as the country faces above-average monsoon rainfall, raising fears of disasters similar to the catastrophic 2022 floods, Al Jazeera reported on Saturday. As per Al Jazeera, citing Anwar Shahzad, spokesperson for Pakistan's Provincial Disaster Management Authority, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan is experiencing significantly heavier rains compared to the same time last year, prompting authorities to issue weather alerts for possible glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Public Policy Data Science Data Analytics CXO Leadership Design Thinking healthcare Finance Technology Data Science Degree Artificial Intelligence Management Digital Marketing Operations Management Project Management PGDM MCA Product Management MBA Healthcare others Others Cybersecurity Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Months IIM Calcutta Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Economics for Public Policy Making Quantitative Techniques Public & Project Finance Law, Health & Urban Development Policy Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate Programme in Public Policy Management Starts on Mar 3, 2024 Get Details Earlier this month, officials in an advisory warned that persistently high temperatures could accelerate the melting of snow and glaciers, potentially leading to weather-related disasters in vulnerable areas and highlighting the ongoing effects of climate change in Pakistan . Spokesperson Faizullah Firaq of the Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) government reported widespread destruction in certain areas, including damage to homes, infrastructure, agricultural land, and businesses. Rescue operations are underway along the Babusar Highway, where flash floods hit nine villages, Al Jazeera reported. Live Events Helicopters were deployed to evacuate stranded tourists from Fairy Meadows, a popular tourist destination in the PoGB region. Abdul Samad from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Department said more than 500 tourists were safely evacuated from Naran after a cloudburst on Friday night triggered landslides and road closures. Heavy machinery is being used to clear debris and reopen access roads. In PoGB, authorities have distributed emergency supplies, including tents, food, and medicine, to flood-hit communities. On Tuesday, a cloudburst caused floods and landslides in the region, resulting in three deaths and the temporary stranding of over 200 tourists, who were later rescued, Al Jazeera reported. Zakir Hussein, head of the Disaster Management Authority of the region, said that while weather alerts help reduce tourist numbers in at-risk areas, they aren't always enough. "Generally, tourists pay attention to our warning notices. Those who still choose to come are either those who did not see the warning or those who have some urgency to visit... At the end of the day, it is weather prediction, but considering the severity of the consequences, people should take it seriously," Hussein told Al Jazeera. Although monsoon rains are a regular and vital part of South Asia's climate--supporting agriculture and water supplies--their negative impact has intensified due to rapid urbanisation, inadequate drainage systems, and increasingly frequent extreme weather events driven by climate change. This year's monsoon, which continues through mid-September, has already claimed 260 lives across Pakistan, as reported by Al Jazeera. The 2022 floods, by comparison, submerged a third of the country, killed over 1,700 people, and displaced more than 30 million. Despite being home to more than 7,000 glaciers--the most outside the polar regions--Pakistan remains among the world's most climate-vulnerable nations, while contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Al Jazeera
3 days ago
- Climate
- Al Jazeera
Pakistan issues glacial floods alert for northwest, heavy rain forecast
Pakistan has issued a warning about glacial flooding in the northwest with more rain forecast in the coming week, as the country experiences above-average rainfall this monsoon season and continues to struggle to recover from devastating floods in 2022. Downpours are heavier in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province than the same period last year, prompting weather advisories and alerts for flooding from glacial lake outbursts, said Anwar Shahzad, a spokesperson for the local disaster management authority, on Saturday. The weather advisory alert comes after the authority sent out a letter earlier this month saying 'persistent high temperatures may accelerate snow and glacier melt and subsequent weather events' in vulnerable parts of the region, underscoring the ongoing heavy impact of climate change on the country. Spokesperson Faizullah Firaq said on Saturday there was 'severe destruction' in some areas and damage to houses, infrastructure, crops, and businesses. Search operations were under way to find missing people on the Babusar Highway, where flooding struck nine villages. Helicopters rescued tourists stuck in the popular spot, Fairy Meadows, he added. Abdul Samad, from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Department, said rescue teams evacuated more than 500 holidaymakers from Naran after a cloudburst overnight Friday caused a road closure. Authorities deployed heavy machinery to remove debris and restore access. In the neighbouring Gilgit-Baltistan region, the government said it had distributed hundreds of tents, thousands of food packets, and medicine to flood-affected communities. Three people died there on Tuesday when a cloudburst caused floods and landslides, stranding more than 200 tourists who were later rescued. Zakir Hussein, director general of Gilgit-Baltistan's Disaster Management Authority, said on Tuesday that while warnings help reduce the presence of tourists in these vulnerable areas, they are not always enough. 'Generally, tourists pay attention to our warning notices. Those who still choose to come are either those who did not see the warning or those who have some urgency to visit,' Hussein told Al Jazeera. 'At the end of the day, it is weather prediction, but considering the severity of the consequences, people should take it seriously.' The rains are a routine part of South Asia's climate and are essential for crop irrigation and replenishing water supplies. However, their adverse effect has worsened in recent years due to rapid urban expansion, poor drainage systems, and more frequent extreme weather events linked to climate change. Pakistan's above-average rainfall this monsoon season has raised concerns of a repeat of the devastating 2022 floods that submerged a third of the country, killed 1,737 people and displaced more than 30 million. Some 260 have died across Pakistan so far this season, which runs through to mid-September. Pakistan, which has a population of about 250 million, is one of the world's most vulnerable countries to climate change, but one of the lowest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. It is also home to more than 7,000 glaciers – the largest outside the Earth's polar regions.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Glacial floods alert issued for northwest Pakistan with more heavy rain forecast
Pakistan on Saturday warned of glacial flooding in the northwest with more rain forecast for the area in the coming week. Downpours are heavier in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province than the same period last year, prompting weather advisories and alerts for flooding from glacial lake outbursts, said Anwar Shahzad, a spokesperson for the local disaster management authority. A letter from the authority sent out mid-July said 'persistent high temperatures may accelerate snow and glacier melt and subsequent weather events' in vulnerable parts of the region. Dr. Abdul Samad, from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Department, said rescue teams evacuated more than 500 holidaymakers from Naran after a cloudburst overnight Friday caused a road closure. Authorities deployed heavy machinery to remove debris and restore access. In the neighboring Gilgit-Baltistan region, the government said it had distributed hundreds of tents, thousands of food packets, and medicine to flood-affected communities. Spokesperson Faizullah Firaq said Saturday there was 'severe destruction' in some areas and damage to houses, infrastructure, crops, and businesses. Search operations were underway to find missing people on the Babusar Highway, where flooding struck nine villages. Helicopters rescued tourists stuck in the popular spot of Fairy Meadows, he added. Pakistan has received above-average rainfall this monsoon season, raising concerns of a repeat of the devastating 2022 floods that submerged a third of the country and killed 1,737 people. Some 260 have died across Pakistan so far this season, which runs through to mid-September. Pakistan is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, but one of the lowest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Glacial floods alert issued for northwest Pakistan with more heavy rain forecast
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan on Saturday warned of glacial flooding in the northwest with more rain forecast for the area in the coming week. Downpours are heavier in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province than the same period last year, prompting weather advisories and alerts for flooding from glacial lake outbursts, said Anwar Shahzad, a spokesperson for the local disaster management authority. A letter from the authority sent out mid-July said 'persistent high temperatures may accelerate snow and glacier melt and subsequent weather events' in vulnerable parts of the region. Dr. Abdul Samad, from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Department, said rescue teams evacuated more than 500 holidaymakers from Naran after a cloudburst overnight Friday caused a road closure. Authorities deployed heavy machinery to remove debris and restore access. In the neighboring Gilgit-Baltistan region, the government said it had distributed hundreds of tents, thousands of food packets, and medicine to flood-affected communities. Spokesperson Faizullah Firaq said Saturday there was 'severe destruction' in some areas and damage to houses, infrastructure, crops, and businesses. Search operations were underway to find missing people on the Babusar Highway, where flooding struck nine villages. Helicopters rescued tourists stuck in the popular spot of Fairy Meadows, he added. Pakistan has received above-average rainfall this monsoon season, raising concerns of a repeat of the devastating 2022 floods that submerged a third of the country and killed 1,737 people. Some 260 have died across Pakistan so far this season, which runs through to mid-September. Pakistan is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, but one of the lowest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
