ISLAMABAD: The administration in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, has issued an alert as a precautionary measure for anticipated upcoming heavy rainfall, and thunderstorms.
“Scattered heavy to very heavy falls are also expected in Hazara, Malakand, Mardan, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore divisions, Islamabad and Kashmir on Wednesday and Thursday,” Pakistan’s Metrological Office said in its advisory.
“Heavy falls may generate flash flooding in Hazara, Malakand, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, D.G.Khan divisions, Islamabad and Kashmir, while urban flooding in Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore divisions during Wednesday and Thursday,” Met office said advising all concerned authorities including Resue 1122, CDA, and Pakistan Navy to remain “alert” and take precautionary measures during the forecast period.
Islamabad administration has imposed ban on boating and swimming in nullahs and dams in the capital with announcements made on loud speaker in low-lying areas near these water bodies cautioning people.
According to the Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), a total of 161 people have been killed and 137 others injured in rain-related incidents since July I, 2019 across the country due to the current monsoon-triggered heavy rainfalls.
Monsoon season in Pakistan, which usually runs from July to September, causes frequent flash floods and land slides in different parts of the country.
Islamabad on ‘alert’ amid forecast of heavy rains
Islamabad on ‘alert’ amid forecast of heavy rains
- Heavy falls may generate flash flooding, Metrological Office warns
- Capital administration imposed ban on boating and swimming in nullahs and dams
Suicide bomber kills at least five at wedding in northwest Pakistan
- Attack took place in Dera Ismail Khan, targeting the home of a local peace committee member
- Peace committees are community-based groups that report militant activity to security forces
PESHAWAR: A suicide bomber killed at least five people and wounded 10 others after detonating explosives at a wedding ceremony in northwestern Pakistan on Friday, officials said, in an attack that underscored persistent militant violence in the country’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The blast took place at the home of a local peace committee member in Dera Ismail Khan district, where guests had gathered for a wedding, police and emergency officials said.
Peace committees in the region are informal, community-based groups that work with security forces to report militant activity and maintain order, making their members frequent targets of attacks.
“A blast occurred near Qureshi Moor in Dera Ismail Khan. Authorities have recovered five bodies and shifted 10 injured to hospital,” said Bilal Faizi, a spokesman for the provincial Rescue 1122 emergency service, adding that the rescue operation was ongoing.
Police said the attacker blew himself up inside the house during the ceremony and that the bomber’s head had been recovered, confirming it was a suicide attack.
Several members of the local peace committee were present at the time, raising fears the toll could rise.
District Police Officer Sajjad Ahmed Sahibzada said authorities had launched an investigation into the incident, while security forces sealed off the area.
Militant attacks have surged in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after the Taliban returned to power in neighboring
Afghanistan in 2021, with the administration in Islamabad blaming the Afghan government for “facilitating” cross-border attacks targeting Pakistani civilians and security forces. However, Kabul has repeatedly denied the allegation.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also seen frequent intelligence-based operations by security forces targeting suspected militants.
No group has immediately claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack.
