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Hans India
3 days ago
- Climate
- Hans India
Pakistan: Monsoon rains, crumbling infrastructure claims 18 lives in Punjab province
Monsoon rains in the Punjab province of Pakistan, have claimed 18 lives, including 11 children, while 57 persons have also been injured in rain-related incidents in the last 24 hours, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Monday. The PDMA, in a factsheet released on Monday, said that most deaths took place due to the collapse of dilapidated buildings and rooftops. The rainfall damaged 27 houses, the agency detailed, adding,. 'In the incidents of lightning strike in Khanewal and Okara two persons were killed, while two children electrocuted to death in Mandi Bahauddin,'. The weather reports apprehended urban flooding in Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Gujranwala cities of the region. PDMA Director General of Punjab province said that a contingency alert has been issued for the big cities of the province, while the authorities have imposed a ban on bathing and swimming in rivers, canals and rain drains. Meanwhile, widespread water stagnation and overflowing sewers have also left the residents of Karachi struggling to commute, with many neighbourhoods submerged and reeking of foul smell as the metropolitan city caved into the monsoon spell. Although the residents of Karachi have welcomed the much-needed showers after days of scorching heat, the recent rains as part of the ongoing monsoons have resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries in the port city, reported local media. Residents alleged that the local administration has failed miserably to provide timely help with piles of uncollected garbage scattered in major towns of the province turning into a major health scare. Local media reported that n several localities, roads either caved in or suffered extensive damage due to waterlogging. Reports from Korangi Town indicated an alarming situation, with roads in Qayyumabad severely damaged and portions of streets collapsing. Similar scenes were witnessed in other parts of the region where many areas have become virtually impassable due to collapsed infrastructure, reported Pakistani daily Express Tribune. The rain, along with exposing the poor preparedness of the municipal authorities , have also brought tremendous hardships to the residents. Large piles of garbage were also seen in Gulberg, Nazimabad, and parts of Malir, further aggravating the situation. Analysts reckon that rains have brought to the fore once again major issues with Karachi's crumbling infrastructure and years of delay in development projects besides lack of coordination between the civic agencies.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Climate
- Business Recorder
Maryam underscores need for strictly implementing monsoon emergency plan
LAHORE: On the direction of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, implementation of the Monsoon Emergency Plan 2025 has been launched across the province. The Chief Minister is being provided with minute-to-minute updates on it. District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs) have been established in every district that will remain operational 24/7. Extensive cleaning of storm water drains and clearing of water flow paths is being carried out throughout the province. As per CM's directions, PDMA's special helpline 1129 has been made fully functional, ensuring accessibility from anywhere in the province. To prevent accidents and losses, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). According to the SOPs, swimming in canals during high water levels, especially by youth and children, is strictly prohibited, and parents are urged to stop children from going near storm drains or swimming in them. Authorities have also been directed to identify dilapidated buildings in the relevant areas. Residents of such rundown buildings are being requested to relocate to safer places as a precaution. A direction has been issued to the public to avoid touching electric appliances, fallen wires, and poles during rains. Additionally, citizens are urged to clean rooftops and ensure proper drainage of rainwater, especially after rainfall. The SOPs further state that people should avoid going outdoors under open skies during lightning and thunderstorms, and move to safe locations before urban flooding occurs. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed all Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, Rescue 1122, and related agencies to remain fully prepared and alert at all times. She has also appealed to the public to strictly implement precautionary measures during the monsoon season so as to protect themselves from any untoward incident, adding that protecting the lives of citizens is the government's foremost responsibility, and 'we will fulfil our duty in true spirits.' She emphasized that every life is precious and all available resources will be utilised to ensure safety of all and sundry. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Climate
- Express Tribune
5.5 magnitude earthquake hits Balochistan
At least three people were injured on Saturday when a 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck Musa Khel district and its neighbouring areas in Balochistan. The tremors were felt across the region, with the earthquake's epicentre located 56 kilometres northeast of Musa Khel at a depth of 28 kilometres, according to the Earthquake Monitoring Centre. The quake caused significant damage in Musa Khel, where two houses were destroyed and three others suffered partial damage. Rescue sources confirmed that three residents were injured due to the collapsed buildings. Fortunately, the injuries were reported as minor. Read: Earthquake hits Balochistan's Barkhan district The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has already initiated relief operations in the affected area. The PDMA spokesperson stated that teams are assessing the full scale of the damage and distributing tents to offer temporary shelter to those displaced by the earthquake. Read more: Quake threat looms as Landhi fault line awakens Earlier, tremors were reported in the Barkhan district, Balochistan. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake that struck Barkhan had a magnitude of 3.9 and occurred at a depth of 12 kilometres. Its epicentre was located 59 kilometres northwest of Barkhan. Authorities monitored the situation, though no significant effects were noted.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Rain fury devastates K-P
Listen to article Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) bore the brunt of the intensifying monsoon system, as relentless rains, flash floods and landslides triggered a series of deadly incidents across the province over the past 48 hours. The powerful monsoon system has been wreaking havoc across Pakistan over the past 48 hours, leaving at least 42 people dead and dozens more injured as torrential rains, windstorms, flash floods and landslides devastated multiple regions. At least 19 people have died in rain-related accidents in K-P as the casualties rose on Saturday, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), with more deaths confirmed from the tragic drowning incident in the Swat River involving tourists. Casualty figures remain fluid as rescue operations continue and additional bodies are recovered. In its preliminary report, PDMA said that among the 19 fatalities in K-P were six men, five women and eight children, while six others, three men and three women, were injured. A total of 56 homes were reported damaged, six of them completely destroyed. The worst-hit district was Swat, which accounted for 13 of the deaths and all injuries. The Swat River disaster, which occurred during a flash flood, claimed the lives of at least 11 tourists, with search operations ongoing for more victims. Officials confirmed that 58 of 85 stranded individuals were rescued. The government has since suspended several local officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Swat, Shehzad Mehboob, amid mounting public outrage and demands for accountability. Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shahab Ali Shah visited Swat's Mingora Bypass area on Saturday to oversee the ongoing rescue operations. He announced a compensation of Rs1.5 million for each victim's family and vowed strict action against those found negligent, stating that a formal inquiry was underway. "An investigation committee is already in Swat," he said. "Those responsible for administrative lapses will be punished." Shah also revealed that all mining and excavation along the Swat River had been banned, and an anti-encroachment drive would begin on the riverbanks starting today. SOPs for tourists have been issued, and emergency responders are being equipped with drones, life jackets and modern rescue tools. Meanwhile, in District Swabi, authorities rescued four individuals, including a 60-year-old woman, trapped by a flash flood in Adina Khwar. Section 144 was imposed to ban swimming in rivers, canals and stormwater channels amid multiple recent drownings in the Indus and Pehur canals. In Punjab, the PDMA reported 12 deaths and 39 injuries from 25 separate incidents, mostly involving collapsed walls and roofs caused by persistent rain and wind from June 25 to June 27. A total of 28 structural collapse incidents were recorded. Fatalities were reported from Bahawalnagar, Faisalabad and Khanewal. Director General PDMA Punjab Irfan Ali Kathia has directed authorities to provide the best medical care to the injured and financial compensation to the families of the deceased, as per the chief minister's instructions. He also advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during extreme weather and not to remain in structurally unsound houses. "Keep children away from open drains, power lines, and electric poles," he urged. The monsoon spell is expected to last until July 1, with the PDMA helpline 1129 open for emergencies. At the federal level, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a countrywide alert for the next 24 to 48 hours. According to NDMA, there is an increased risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in Gilgit-Baltistan, particularly in Budswat, Hinarche, Darkot and Ishkoman, where accelerated glacier melt has heightened flood risk. In Azad Kashmir, areas such as Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bagh and Kotli face threats of urban flooding and landslides. Severe weather and high winds are also forecast for Peshawar, Mardan, Swat, Dir, Kohistan, Bannu, Karak and Waziristan. Heavy downpours may hit Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Kasur and Mandi Bahauddin, possibly leading to urban flooding and power disruptions. Warnings also extend to Sindh and Balochistan, where districts such as Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Quetta, Khuzdar and Zhob are likely to be affected. The NDMA has urged all provincial and local authorities to take preemptive action and keep the public informed via the NDMA Disaster Alert App. As grief and outrage grew, local residents, civil society organisations, lawyers, and political parties in Swat staged protests, demanding accountability for negligence that led to the tourist drownings. Protesters called for immediate legal action against those responsible and demanded resignations from the chief minister and his team. At the conclusion of the high-level meeting in Swat, a collective prayer was held for the deceased, and fresh orders were issued to expedite the search for the three people still missing. Meanwhile, monsoon-induced flash floods have led to tragic incidents in Balochistan, particularly affecting the districts of Zhob and Harnai. In the scenic area of Saliaza, located around 13 kilometres east of Zhob city, four members of the same family lost their lives after being swept away by a sudden flood while on a picnic. The victims, including a woman, two young girls, and a child, were visiting from Multan. Rescue teams, including the Levies Force and local volunteers, promptly responded, recovering all the bodies and transferring them to the Trauma Centre in Zhob. Meanwhile, in the Khost area of Harnai, three individuals became stranded due to rapidly rising water levels in a local stream. Acting on instructions from Deputy Commissioner Harnai Hazrat Wali Kakar, the Levies Force conducted a successful rescue operation, safely retrieving all three men, identified as Hazrat Syed, Zeeshan and Rehan. Following the incidents, the Deputy Commissioner praised the swift response of the Levies and urged the public to exercise caution during the monsoon season, particularly around rivers and streams. He also encouraged citizens to report any emergencies directly to the DC Office of Control Room to ensure immediate action by authorities.
See - Sada Elbalad
4 days ago
- Climate
- See - Sada Elbalad
24 Killed as Floods Sweep Across Pakistan
Israa Farhan At least 24 people, half of them children, have died in flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains in northwestern and eastern Pakistan, according to emergency management officials. The extreme weather, which began Wednesday, marks the onset of the country's annual monsoon season. A report issued late Friday by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa confirmed that 11 people were killed in the past 24 hours alone. Among the victims were four children and three women, while six others were injured. Most of the casualties occurred in the Swat Valley, where flash floods swept away families living along riverbanks, according to local media. The floods have also caused significant property damage. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 56 homes were damaged, including six that were completely destroyed, the PDMA report added. In Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province with a population of around 130 million, the Disaster Management Authority reported 13 fatalities since Wednesday. Among them were eight children, who died when roofs or walls collapsed under the weight of the rain. The adult victims were killed in sudden floods that struck rivers in the region, local officials confirmed. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned that the risk of further heavy rainfall and flash flooding remains high across several regions, particularly through Tuesday. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
