Latest news with #FarooqAhmad
Qatar Tribune
20 hours ago
- Climate
- Qatar Tribune
Pakistan braces for more monsoon rains as flood death toll nears 300
dpa Islamabad Pakistani rescue and disaster agencies were on Monday finalizing plans to evacuate thousands of people amid warnings for more monsoon rains as the death toll from weeks of flooding rose to nearly 300, officials said. At least 279 people, nearly half of them children, have died in incidents related to heavy rains and flooding since late last month, the national disaster agency said. A fresh spell of rains was expected to hit the country that would trigger more flash floods and inundation in the cities, the country's meteorological department warned. 'This will be the heaviest spell of the current monsoon,' meteorologist Raja Ibrar said, referring to the rainy season in South Asia that runs from July to September. The rescue department in the central province of Punjab was finalizing a contingency plan to evacuate people from river banks in case of flooding, the agency's spokesman Farooq Ahmad said. 'We are on our toes, ready with thousands of rescuers and hundreds of boats. Helicopters will be on stand-by mode,' Ahmed said about the province where most deaths had occurred. The disaster agency had advised other regional governments to keep monitoring the evolving situation around the clock. Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to the impact of climate change, according to the United Nations.
Qatar Tribune
17-07-2025
- Climate
- Qatar Tribune
Evacuation under way as rains submerge Pakistani cities, kill dozens
dpa Islamabad Rescue workers and soldiers in Pakistan were on Thursday evacuating thousands of people from flooded neighbourhoods after several hours of torrential rains submerged major cities, killing more than 50 people, officials said. Around 15,000 rescue workers backed by army helicopters and 800 boats were in a race against time to save people from flooded villages and cities in the central province of Punjab, rescue department spokesman Farooq Ahmad said. The worst situation was in the city of Rawalpindi near the capital Islamabad where helicopters were rescuing people stranded on their rooftops after streams flooded into residential areas, Ahmad said. More than 50 people died in the incidents linked to the rains and floods in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll since late last month to 180, the national disaster agency said. Most deaths occurred due to collapsing walls and roofs as old structures continued to crumble after weeks of heavy monsoon rains, the agency added. The meteorological department has warned that more heavy rains in July and August would cause swollen rivers, flash floods and inundations. Pakistan, a country with a massive population of more than 240 million, is one of the most vulnerable nations to the impact of the climate change, according to the United Nations. Each year, hundreds of people lose their lives to climate-induced disasters in the country, with thousands more losing their homes and livelihoods. In 2022, the record-breaking floods resulted in over 2,000 deaths, left a third of Pakistan submerged and caused $40 billion of damage to the economy of the impoverished South Asian nation.
South China Morning Post
17-07-2025
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
Pakistan's monsoon misery worsens as floods kill more than 150
At least 28 people were killed on Wednesday due to heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan 's biggest province amid warnings of more rough weather ahead for the South Asian nation. 'The deaths were caused by collapsing roofs particularly in rural areas of Punjab,' said Farooq Ahmad, spokesman for the provincial rescue department. Ahmad said around 90 people were injured. Punjab is Pakistan's biggest province where millions of people are associated with agriculture and live in villages. The rains are considered blessings during the season, but they also cause mud houses to collapse. The death toll due to this year's monsoon rains has crossed 150, while over 300 people have been injured in weeks of erratic rains that started on June 26. The meteorological department has warned that more heavy rains in July and August would cause rivers to swell, leading to flash floods and inundations. A vendor pulls his cart through flooded streets in Lahore on July 16. Photo: AFP Pakistan, a country with a massive population of more than 240 million, is one of the most vulnerable nations to the impact of climate change, according to the United Nations.
Qatar Tribune
16-07-2025
- Climate
- Qatar Tribune
Deadly monsoon day as rains kill 28 in Pak's Punjab province
dpa Islamabad At least 28 people were killed on Wednesday due to heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan's biggest province, amid warnings of more rough weather ahead for the South Asian nation. 'The deaths were caused by collapsing roofs particularly in rural areas of the Punjab,' said Farooq Ahmad, spokesman for the provincial rescue department. Ahmad said around 90 people were injured. Punjab is Pakistan's biggest province where millions of people are associated with agriculture and live in villages. The rains are considered blessings during the season but they also cause mud houses to collapse. The death toll due to this year's monsoon rains has crossed 150, while over 300 people have been injured in weeks of erratic rains that started on June 26. The meteorological department has warned that more heavy rains in July and August would cause rivers to swell, flash floods and inundations. Pakistan, a country with a massive population of more than 240 million, is one of the most vulnerable nations to the impact of the climate change, according to the United Nations. Each year, hundreds of people lose their lives to climate-induced disasters in the country, with thousands more losing their homes and livelihoods. In 2022, the record-breaking floods that resulted in over 2,000 deaths, left a third of Pakistan submerged and caused $40 billion of damage to the economy.
Hindustan Times
07-06-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Another heatwave expected in Kashmir
Kashmir valley will witness another heatwave in the coming days as people will celebrate Eid-ul-Adha from Saturday. The meteorological centre in Srinagar said that the dry weather will prevail for the next six days. 'The weather will be mostly hot and dry till June 12. The temperatures will increase further and there are chances of a heatwave,' said meteorologist Farooq Ahmad. He said that the temperature in Srinagar increased to 30 degree Celsius on Friday from 26 degrees on Thursday. 'This will further increase to 33-34 degrees Celsius,' he said. The valley witnessed a heatwave between May 18 to 27 with temperatures hovering 6-8 degrees above normal. On May 22, according to MeT, Srinagar had recorded the third highest maximum temperature of 34.4°C after the second highest of 35°C on May 31, 1956. Then there was more than a week of stormy weather with intermittent rains, gusty winds and even snowfall on mountains on one occasion. Independent weather spotter, Faizan Arif said that temperatures may soar to 34 - 35°C in Kashmir plains and 45 - 46°C in Jammu plains next week.
