ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday urged relevant state institutions to take necessary precautions ahead of a fresh spell of torrential rains from Aug. 14-18, warning it may trigger urban flooding in various parts of the country and increase water flow in rivers and streams.
According to the data gathered by provincial disaster management authorities in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, monsoon rains have killed at least 172 people since the beginning of the season last month.
Pakistan is recognized as one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change effects. A United Nations official warned in July that about 200,000 people could be affected by the ongoing monsoon season in Pakistan.
In 2022, torrential rains and floods killed over 1,700 people and caused estimated losses of over $30 billion to the Pakistani economy.
“The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) of the NDMA has anticipated further rains in various parts of the country from August 14 to 18, 2024,” the NDMA’s statement said. “Moderate to heavy rains are expected in catchment areas of Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum rivers, as well as in parts of southern Balochistan, and central and southern Sindh.”
The statement said areas that could be affected adversely due to torrential rains include Murree, Galiyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Nowshera, Swabi, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. It also said that streams and rivers in northeastern Punjab, Dera Ghazi Khan Division, Kalat, Khuzdar, Barkhan, Lasbela, and the hilly streams and torrents of Azad Kashmir could also be affected by floods.
The statement urged the authorities and general public to take necessary precautions to mitigate the potential impacts of flooding and landslides.
“NDMA issued instructions to all relevant departments to alert Emergency Response Teams and mobilized resources to ensure a swift response to any arising situations,” it continued. “Tourists are advised to avoid traveling to these areas during the forecasted period.”
Pakistan forecasts torrential rains, potential flooding this week as 172 killed since July
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Pakistan forecasts torrential rains, potential flooding this week as 172 killed since July
- Monsoon rains have killed at least 172 people since the beginning of the season last month
- NDMA asks the general public to take necessary precautions as the rainy season continues
Pakistan showcases smart solutions, tech innovation at ITCN Asia expo in Lahore
- ITCN Asia is Pakistan’s largest information and communications technology exhibition and conference
- It highlights developments in cybersecurity, cloud computing, AI, e-commerce and digital governance
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is showcasing its growing technology sector at the 27th edition of ITCN Asia at the Expo Center in Lahore, bringing together innovators, startups, investors and policymakers for one of the country’s premier technology exhibitions, Pakistani state media reported on Saturday.
ITCN Asia is Pakistan’s largest information and communications technology exhibition and conference, which is regularly held to highlight developments in fields including cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, e-commerce and digital governance.
The three-day event, which began on Saturday, focuses on networking, knowledge-sharing and lead generation, with conferences facilitating a learning environment for tech enthusiasts and professionals.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja called ITCN Asia a “distinguished” global event showcasing tech advancement in Pakistan, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Pakistan’s use of cybersecurity has put the country on the forefront of technological advancement and strengthened global trust in our technology sector,” she was quoted as saying.
The exhibition features more than 850 booths, over 3,000 global brands, international delegates, investors and government leaders, according to the organizers.
Pakistan’s Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) is showcasing electric vehicle and electronics assembly by global brands, including BYD, Samsung and Google at the exhibition.
The STZA has set up a national pavilion at the exhibition with facilitation from the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), according to a statement issued by the cabinet division.
The move is part of Pakistan’s efforts to boost foreign investment in its technology sector as the country’s startups and software houses have attracted global interest in recent years. Pakistan’s IT exports rose by $180 million to $1,057 million during
July-September last year, compared with $877 million in the same period of 2024, according to the information technology ministry.
Pakistan’s technology sector is also advancing in AI and cloud computing, marked by the launch of Pakistan’s first sovereign AI cloud in November, designed to keep sensitive data domestic and support growth in the broader digital ecosystem.
