Latest in Weather
Express Tribune
37 minutes ago
- Climate
- Express Tribune
19 swept away as Swat River surges dangerously after heavy rains
A rescue worker rows a raft while searching for survivors, after tourists, who were on a picnic, were swept away by overflowing floodwaters in the Swat River, in Swat Valley in Pakistan June 27, 2025. Photo: Reuters Listen to article Flash floods triggered by a sudden surge in the Swat River and other streams in the district following heavy monsoon rains on Friday claimed the lives of at least 10 people, while several others remain missing, according to provincial rescue officials and eyewitnesses. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) described the flood level as "very high," while officials said dozens of people were trapped as authorities scrambled to deal with the aftermath of two days of relentless downpours. The river swelled dramatically after the torrential rains, sweeping away 19 tourists - including women and children - who had gathered on a rocky area along the riverbank near the bypass road. Rescuers managed to save only three individuals, while 10 bodies were recovered later in the day. Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene: the water rose rapidly and surrounded the tourists within moments, leaving them no time to escape. The victims belonged to two families who had travelled to the popular tourist destination from Sialkot and Mardan. Rescue 1122, in coordination with the district administration and local police, transported the bodies to Saidu Teaching Hospital. The deceased were identified as Umda (18), Muhammad Ayan (7), Rubina (45), Sharmeen (16), Tazmeen (18), Aima (10), and Merab (17) - all from Sialkot. Two other victims, Farman and Eshyal, were from Mardan. In response, the district administration imposed an immediate state of emergency in the area and urged the public to avoid going near the river. Rescue teams were deployed at key locations, with additional diving units dispatched to assist in the search and recovery operation. According to officials, dozens of people remained stranded in flood-hit areas. PDMA classified the situation as "very high alert," while several people were rescued and relocated to safer locations in Mam Dherai, Ghaligay, and other parts of Swat. Media reports, citing senior provincial officials, indicated that 18 individuals were still missing. A statement issued by Chief Secretary Shehab Ali Shah in Peshawar revealed that more than 75 people were trapped at different locations; of these, 58 had been successfully rescued. In response to the evolving situation, the provincial government, under directives from Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, established a special flood cell. PDMA also issued alerts to authorities in Peshawar, Charsadda, and Nowshera to brace for the potential impact of floodwaters from Swat. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the loss of lives. Both leaders offered condolences to the bereaved families and instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to work closely with local agencies to ensure effective safety and relief efforts. Meanwhile, the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) of the NDMA issued a fresh weather advisory, warning of more heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms in most parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Peshawar, Bannu and Waziristan districts. The NEOC also forecast widespread monsoon activity across Punjab and Sindh over the next 48 hours. "Heavy rain is expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Tharparkar, Badin, Umerkot, and other districts," the alert stated. The advisory further warned of strong winds and downpours in upper and central Punjab, including Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Mianwali. Urban flooding in major cities and landslides in mountainous regions were also deemed likely due to the intensity of the weather system. Retreat turns to tragedy An extended family from Daska on a recreational outing near Fizagat in Swat was caught off guard when a sudden river surge swept away 18 tourists, most of them relatives. The group, led by Abdul Rehman of Daska Kalan, included several family members: Rubeena Kausar, his daughter-in-law; Abdullah (15); Tazmeen (21); Sharmeen (19); his daughter Fauzia, her husband Mohsin, and their daughters Meerab (17), Ajwa (15), Ishal (13) and Anfal (9). Another daughter, Ayesha, wife of Shehbaz, was also missing, along with their childrenAima (12), and sons Ayaan (9), Ziyan (5) and Zohan (3). The group was reportedly joined by another family when the flash flood struck. Standing at the riverbank, they were caught by the powerful current. Rescuers, joined by local volunteers, immediately launched search operations. Among the recovered victims are Meerab, a second-year student; Ajwa, a matric student; Eyan (6), son of Shehbaz; a doctor; a maternal cousin; and Tobina Islam, sister-in-law of Mohsin. What began as a joyful summer retreat turned into an unimaginable tragedy. The river's merciless current left little time to react, and Daska is now in mourning, with entire neighbourhoods grieving the loss of their loved ones. In response to the tragic loss, Assistant Commissioner Usman Ghani of Daska visited the bereaved families to extend condolences on behalf of the district administration. The devastating incident has sparked widespread outrage and grief on social media, with citizens calling for immediate safety protocols to be put in place along riverbanks. There have been growing demands for increased awareness and regulation in tourist hotspots prone to such natural hazards.
The Guardian
44 minutes ago
- Climate
- The Guardian
Torrential rain expected to hit Sydney next week as wild weather system brews off Australia's east coast
Sydney and parts of the New South Wales coast should brace themselves for a fast-developing weather system expected to bring damaging winds, heavy rainfall and flooding early next week, the Bureau of Meteorology has said. Some areas could see flash and river flooding on Tuesday and Wednesday with the Sydney metro area 'in the firing line', the bureau said. The system that is expected to develop on Sunday has the potential to be classified in the coming days as an east coast low – a weather system known for its damaging potential. 'It is looking like a significant weather system off the east coast and will start to pick up steam on Monday and intensify on Tuesday,' said Angus Hines, a senior meteorologist at the weather bureau. The source of the weather threat is an area of spiralling wind and cloud that will develop off the southern Queensland coast on Sunday night. Hines said as the pressure in the centre of the system drops, this will cause it to intensify and, as it travels south, could unleash damaging coastal conditions, high winds and torrential rain by Tuesday. Hines said people on the east coast should watch their forecasts closely in the coming days, but areas expected to be hit on Tuesday and Wednesday include Sydney and the Hunter Valley, as well as elevated areas on the Great Dividing Range. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email Wind gusts of up to 100 km/h in coastal parts are expected with rainfall of between 100mm and 200mm over 48 hours on Tuesday and Wednesday, with some areas potentially seeing higher totals. 'That is enough rainfall to give us some concerns about flooding – both riverine and flash flooding could pop up, including around the Sydney area,' Hines said. 'When you combine the winds with persistent rainfall, you are starting to look at the potential for trees coming down with those softer soils. It is plausible we see extensive tree damage.' Sign up to Afternoon Update Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion He said the system is known as a 'bombing low' because of the speed at which it develops. 'It means over a short period of time, as the pressure drops, the spiral of winds ratchets up very fast, the wind speed picks up quickly and the rainfall becomes more intense. That rain then gets driven on to the coast at a greater rate of knots.' As of Saturday morning, the system was forecast to start drifting east by Thursday. Elsewhere, cooler than average morning temperatures that affected much of the country in recent days are expected to continue until early next week. A band of cloud is forecast to bring rainfall from the Gulf of Carpentaria to Queensland's south-east this weekend, with falls reaching the Brisbane and Gold Coast areas by late Sunday.
CBS News
an hour ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Hot forecast for Pride Parade has Chicago officials urging crowds to stay hydrated
City leaders are pleading with the public to stay cool for the second weekend in a row. A heat wave last weekend triggered warnings across the Chicago area, and with Pride Parade on Sunday, another scorching forecast is a big worry. Temperatures are expected to hit the 90s, with a heat index close to 100. Roscoe's Tavern, right in the middle of the parade route in Lakeview, will be ready. Drinks will be flowing all weekend. With the heat, that hopefully includes a lot of orders for water. The bar is reminding people on its social media pages: "stay hydrated." "Gotta remind people every year. I'd say about an hour in, at some point, we'll have someone like, 'Oh, someone's passed out somewhere, we need to get water to them,'" manager Shawn Hazen said. Wall-to-wall crowds are expected all along Halsted Street on Sunday. "You can't move. It's crazy out here," Hazen said. City leaders are also concerned about the safety of the big crowds in that heat. Police plan to have officers and medical tents stationed along the route to help in the event of an emergency. "You're talking about conditions where people can become dehydrated, pass out," Police Supt. Larry Snelling said. Snelling worries the combination of packed crowds and hot weather will put a lot of heat on first responders. So the Chicago Police Department created temporary black and white signs posted along the parade route for anyone calling into 911. "There are markers along the parade route where they can look up and they give an exact location of where they are," he said. Another concern: after-party shenanigans that turn criminal. Police arrested more than 50 people following last year's Pride Parade, recovering several guns in the process. "We've been collaborating extensively with local businesses, bars, and agencies to help manage crowds and prevent unauthorized gatherings," said Ald. Bennett Lawson (44th). The alderman, whose ward is home to the Pride Parade, thanked residents for their patience this weekend, because road closures for the parade will stay overnight in some locations. Parking is also restricted until Monday morning in several spots. Only the good kind of headaches are expected back at Roscoe's. It's one of their busiest weekends of the year. "Lots of rainbows and lots of people out to have a good time," Hazen said. Organizers estimate spectator attendance at 800,000 people for the parade.
CTV News
an hour ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for southern Manitoba
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for parts of Manitoba. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) said Portage la Prairie and St. Ambroise are under the warning. ECCC said an incoming severe thunderstorm is capable of producing very strong wind gusts of up to 90 km/hour, heavy rain, and up to nickel-sized hail. As of 9:45 p.m. Friday, the system was near Oakland, moving east at 30 km/hour. Delta Beach may also be impacted by this system.
United News of India
an hour ago
- Climate
- United News of India
Quake measuring 6.1 hits southern Philippines
Manila, June 28 (UNI) An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.1 hit waters off the southern Philippines on Saturday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. The institute said the quake, which occurred at 7:07 a.m. local time (2307 GMT), hit at a depth of 79 km, about 85 km southeast of Sarangani town in Davao Occidental province. The institute said the tectonic quake is expected to trigger aftershocks but does not pose a tsunami threat. There is no report of casualties or damage. The archipelagic Philippines has frequent seismic activities due to its location along the Pacific "Ring of Fire." UNI XINHUA ARN
