ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Monday warned of heavy showers and flash floods in Pakistan’s Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces over the next two days, urging the masses to exercise caution during this period.
Heavy monsoon rains since July have triggered floods and landslides in many parts of the country, notably Pakistan’s eastern Punjab and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces, which have reported the highest number of casualties.
Since July 1, Punjab has reported 92 deaths from rain-related incidents, while KP has reported 74 deaths, according to the NDMA. The Sindh and Balochistan provinces have reported 48 and 21 deaths, respectively.
On Monday, the NDMA said it anticipated more monsoon showers and thunderstorm in most parts of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces from August 26 to August 28.
“Heavy downpour may cause urban flooding in low lying areas of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan districts of Punjab and increase in flows are expected in major nullah/streams of the Swat, Dir, Mardan, Kohistan, Buner, Galliyat, Peshawar, Swabi, Kohat, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Mansehra, Batagram, Kohat, Orakzai, Khyber, D.I. Khan districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” it said in a statement.
“Heavy downpour/windstorm and lightning may affect daily routines, weak structures like roof/wall collapse of Kacha houses, electric poles, billboards, vehicles and solar panels etc during the period.”
The NDMA urged local administrations and public to take necessary precautions to mitigate potential impact of flash and urban flooding. It asked relevant departments to alert emergency response teams and mobilize resources to ensure a swift response to any emergency situation.
“Tourists and travelers are advised to avoid traveling to these areas during forecast period,” the NDMA said. “The public is advised to remain vigilant and follow instructions from local authorities.”
Pakistan is recognized as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change effects in the world. This year, the South Asian country recorded its “wettest April since 1961,” with 59.3 millimeters of rainfall while some areas of the country faced a heat wave in May and June.
In 2022, unusually heavy rains triggered flash floods in many parts of the country, killing over 1,700 people, inflicting losses of around $30 billion, and affecting at least 30 million people.
Scientists have attributed Pakistan’s erratic weather patterns to climate change effects and called on countries around the world to take urgent steps to tackle the crisis.
Authorities warn of heavy rains, flash floods in Pakistan’s Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
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Authorities warn of heavy rains, flash floods in Pakistan’s Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- People have been advised to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel over the next few days
- Torrential rains in Pakistan have killed 243 people and injured 447 since July 1, official data shows
Pakistanis among six injured by debris in Abu Dhabi as UAE intercepts drones
- Iran launched drone attacks and missiles at Gulf nations, including UAE, since Saturday after it was attacked by US and Israel
- Minor injuries reported among six Pakistani, Nepalese nationals in two locations across Industrial City of Abu Dhabi Phase 2
ISLAMABAD: Six people were injured by falling debris in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, among them Pakistani nationals, after the UAE’s air defense system intercepted drones, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said in a statement.
Iran has launched a barrage of missiles and drone attacks at the UAE and other Gulf countries to target facilities hosting US troops since Saturday. The attacks come in response to coordinated strikes by the US and Israel against Iran last week after months of negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office, in a post on social media platform X, said authorities responded to an incident of debris falling in two locations across the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi Phase 2 (ICAD II) “following the successful interception of drones by air defense systems.”
“The incident resulted in minor and moderate injuries to six Pakistani and Nepali nationals,” the statement said.
The statement did not mention how many Pakistani nationals out of the six were injured in the attack.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office urged the public to seek information from only government sources and avoid spreading rumors or unverified information.
Pakistan has asked its citizens in Gulf states to exercise caution, avoid travel and strictly follow official adviseries ever since tensions escalated in the region on Saturday.
The UAE is home to over 1.5 million Pakistani expatriates, one of the largest communities of overseas Pakistanis worldwide.
Pakistan has condemned the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran but also criticized Tehran’s attacks that have targeted countries in the Gulf region, advising all parties to exercise restraint.
