ISLAMABAD: At least 27 people were killed and 18 wounded in rain-related incidents in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and eastern Punjab provinces in the last three days, official statements revealed on Thursday, as heavy monsoon rains with flash floods lashed parts of the country.
The monsoon season is crucial for the region, providing essential water for agriculture, which is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. However, unprecedented cloudbursts driven by climate change have increasingly turned this vital weather pattern into a threat.
Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority warned earlier this week on Monday strong monsoon currents from the Bay of Bengal would trigger heavy rains and flash floods in Punjab, Azad Kashmir, Sindh and KP province.
“As a result of accidents due to recent rains, 24 people died and 17 people were injured during the last three days in KP,” the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of KP said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Punjab PDMA also mentioned the death of three people in Lahore in the last 12 hours and injuries to one.
A total of 150 houses were damaged in KP due to gusty winds and heavy rainfall of which 77 were partially damaged while 73 were destroyed, it said.
In Punjab, the eastern city of Lahore recorded the most amount of rainfall measuring at 337 millimeters with local media channels showing footage of roads, houses and even hospitals being inundated by floodwater.
“In the last 24 hours, Lahore recorded 337 mm, Gujranwala 123mm, Narowal 70mm, Kasur 62mm, Hafizabad 23mm and Sialkot 11 mm of rain,” the Punjab PDMA said.
Warning that monsoon rains would continue till August 6, it informed arrangements were in place for vulnerable districts with a high risk of flooding. The statement said there was also a high risk of flooding in the Indus and Chenab Rivers.
The top Punjab PDMA official, Irfan Ali Kathia, reaffirmed that control rooms were monitoring the situation.
He requested people to take precautionary measures and avoid touching electrical wires or poles.
“The public should stay away from mud houses and dilapidated buildings,” Kathia said. “Take special care of children and do not allow them near accumulated water in low-lying areas.”
Rains leave 27 dead, 18 injured during ongoing monsoon spell in Pakistan
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Rains leave 27 dead, 18 injured during ongoing monsoon spell in Pakistan
- Lahore receives record rain of 337 millimeters, with floodwaters inundating roads, houses, hospitals
- Authorities ask people to take precautions, stay away from electric poles and dilapidated buildings
Australia says father and son carried out Sydney beach attack as Pakistan condemns violence
- Australian authorities say at least 15 people were killed in the shooting, including a 10-year-old girl
- Pakistan says it stands in solidarity with Australia, condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations
ISLAMABAD: Australian authorities said on Monday a father and son carried out a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach during a Jewish festival, as Pakistan expressed solidarity with Australia and condemned the attack that claimed at least 15 lives.
Police said the 50-year-old father was shot dead at the scene while his 24-year-old son was wounded and taken into custody after the gunmen opened fire on crowds gathered for a Hanukkah celebration at the popular beach.
“We want to get to the bottom of this,” New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon said on Monday. “We want to understand the motives behind it.”
A 10-year-old girl was among the 15 dead in Australia’s worst mass shooting for almost 30 years, while 42 more were rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds and other injuries.
Pakistan’s government said it stood with Australia following the shooting, reiterating its opposition to such incidents amid renewed militant violence at home.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences to the victims and said Pakistan condemned “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”
President Asif Ali Zardari also conveyed sympathy to the victims’ families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“Pakistan itself a victim of terrorism, stands in solidarity with & condemns violence against innocent civilians,” he said.
Pakistan has faced a resurgence in militant attacks in recent months, particularly in its northwest. On Sunday, Sharif praised security forces after they killed 13 militants in two separate operations in the Mohmand and Bannu districts, according to a statement from his office.
Australian police said the attackers fired from a raised boardwalk overlooking the beach, sending people fleeing in panic. Authorities later discovered what they described as an improvised explosive device in a vehicle parked near the scene, which they believe was linked to the attackers.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said tougher gun controls may be needed, including limits on the number of firearms an individual can own, after police confirmed the father held licenses for six weapons believed to have been used in the attack.
Mass shootings have been rare in Australia since sweeping gun law reforms were introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, but Albanese said the latest attack required authorities to reassess whether existing controls remained sufficient.
With input from AFP
