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
Pakistani, Bangladeshi officials discuss trade, investment and aviation as ties thaw
- Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war
- Ties between Pakistan, Bangladesh have warmed up since last year and both nations have resumed sea trade
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider on Sunday met Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka, the latter's office said on, with the two figures discussing trade, investment and aviation.
Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war, which saw the part previously referred to as East Pakistan seceding to form the independent nation of Bangladesh.
Ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh have warmed up since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster as a result of a student-led uprising in August 2024. Relations remain frosty between Dhaka and New Delhi over India’s decision to grant asylum to Hasina.
Pakistan has attempted to forge closer ties with Bangladesh in recent months and both South Asian nations last year began sea trade, followed by efforts to expand government-to-government commerce.
"During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to expand cooperation in trade, investment, and aviation as well as scaling up cultural, educational and medical exchanges to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two South Asian nations," Yunus's office said in a statement on X.
In 2023-24 Pakistan exported goods worth $661 million to Bangladesh, while its imports were only $57 million, according to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. In Aug. this year, the Pakistani and Bangladeshi commerce ministries signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a Joint Working Group on Trade, aiming to raise their bilateral trade volume to $1 billion in the financial year that began in July.
The Pakistani high commissioner noted that bilateral trade has recorded a 20 percent growth compared to last year, with business communities from both countries actively exploring new investment opportunities, according to the statement.
He highlighted a significant increase in cultural exchanges, adding that Bangladeshi students have shown strong interest in higher education opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in medical sciences, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. Haider also said that Dhaka-Karachi direct flights are expected to start in January.
"Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus welcomed the growing interactions between the two countries and emphasized the importance of increased visits as well as cultural, educational and people-to-people exchanges among SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) member states," the statement read.
"Professor Yunus also underscored the need to further boost Bangladesh–Pakistan trade and expressed hope that during Mr. Haider’s tenure, both countries would explore new avenues for investment and joint venture businesses."
