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Tag: pakistan floods

  • Pakistan flooding deaths cross 1,000 in ‘climate catastrophe’

    Deaths from widespread flooding in Pakistan topped 1,000 since mid-June, officers stated Sunday, because the nation’s local weather minister referred to as the lethal monsoon season “a serious climate catastrophe.”

    Flash flooding from the heavy rains has washed away villages and crops as troopers and rescue staff evacuated stranded residents to the security of reduction camps and offered meals to 1000’s of displaced Pakistanis. Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority reported the demise toll for the reason that monsoon season started sooner than regular this 12 months — in mid- June — reached 1,033 individuals after new fatalities had been reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southern Sindh provinces.

    Sherry Rehman, a Pakistani senator and the nation’s prime local weather official, stated in a video posted on Twitter that Pakistan is experiencing a “serious climate catastrophe, one of the hardest in the decade.” “We are at the moment at the ground zero of the front line of extreme weather events, in an unrelenting cascade of heatwaves, forest fires, flash floods, multiple glacial lake outbursts, flood events and now the monster monsoon of the decade is wreaking non-stop havoc throughout the country,” she stated.

    The on-camera assertion was retweeted by the nation’s ambassador to the European Union.

    Flooding from the Swat River in a single day affected northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the place tens of 1000’s of individuals — particularly within the Charsadda and Nowshehra districts — have been evacuated from their properties to reduction camps arrange in authorities buildings.

    A person rests close to his broken residence surrounded by floodwaters, in Jaffarabad, a district of Pakistan’s southwestern Baluchistan province. (AP Photo/Zahid Hussain)

    Many have additionally taken shelter on roadsides, stated Kamran Bangash, a spokesperson for the provincial authorities. Bangash stated some 180,000 individuals have been evacuated from Charsadda and 150,000 from Nowshehra district villages. Khaista Rehman, 55, no relation to the local weather minister, took shelter along with his spouse and three kids on the aspect of the Islamabad-Peshawar freeway after his residence in Charsadda was submerged in a single day.

    “Thank God we are safe now on this road quite high from the flooded area,” he stated. “Our crops are gone and our home is destroyed but I am grateful to Allah that we are alive and I will restart life with my sons.”

    The unprecedented monsoon season has affected all 4 of the nation’s provinces. Nearly 300,000 properties have been destroyed, quite a few roads rendered impassable and electrical energy outages have been widespread, affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals.

    Pope Francis on Sunday stated he wished to guarantee his “closeness to the populations of Pakistan struck by flooding of disastrous proportions.’’

    Speaking throughout a pilgrimage to the Italian city of L’Aquila, which was hit by a lethal earthquake in 2009, Francis stated he was praying “for the many victims, for the injured and the evacuated, and so that international solidarity will be prompt and generous.”

    Rehman informed Turkish information outlet TRT World that by the point the rains recede, “we could well have one fourth or one third of Pakistan under water.” “This is something that is a global crisis and of course we will need better planning and sustainable development on the ground… We’ll need to have climate resilient crops as well as structures,” she stated.

    In May, Rehman informed BBC Newshour that each the nation’s north and south had been witnessing excessive climate occasions due to rising temperatures.

    “So in north actually just now we are … experiencing what is known as glacial lake outburst floods which we have many of because Pakistan is home to the highest number of glaciers outside the polar region.”

    The authorities has deployed troopers to assist civilian authorities in rescue and reduction operations throughout the nation. Military chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa visited flood-affected areas of southern Sindh province to expedite reduction work there. Meanwhile, the Pakistani military stated in a press release it airlifted a 22 vacationers trapped in a valley within the nation’s north to security.

  • Pakistan floods pressure tens of 1000’s from properties in a single day

    Tens of 1000’s of individuals fled their properties in northern Pakistan on Saturday after a fast-rising river destroyed a serious bridge, as lethal floods trigger devastation throughout the nation.

    Powerful flash floods within the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa precipitated the Kabul River to swell, sweeping away a big bridge in a single day, slicing off some districts from street entry.

    Downstream, fears of flooding across the river banks prompted round 1,80,000 folks within the district of Charsadda to flee their properties, in response to catastrophe officers, with some spending the night time on highways with their livestock.

    Horrifying footage from S. #Pakistan in the present day of whole constructing washed away by floods. Over 935 folks killed, greater than 33 million affected, worst pure catastrophe for nation in a long time: pic.twitter.com/aO6ZMlQycf

    — Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) August 26, 2022

    Historic monsoon rains and flooding in Pakistan have affected greater than 30 million folks over the previous few weeks, the nation’s local weather change minister stated, calling the scenario a “climate-induced humanitarian disaster of epic proportions”.

    The navy has joined the nation’s nationwide and provincial authorities in responding to the floods and Pakistan’s military chief on Saturday visited the southern province of Balochistan, which has been hit closely by the rains.

    “The people of Pakistan are our priority and we won’t spare any effort to assist them in this difficult time,” stated military chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

    Pakistan was affected by huge financial and political crises-unprecedented flood has made nation’s scenario a lot worse. A big resort constructing going beneath the flood water. pic.twitter.com/GuqcJgZeec

    — Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) August 26, 2022

    Pakistani leaders have appealed to the worldwide group for assist and plan to launch a global enchantment fund. The international affairs ministry stated Turkey had despatched a staff to assist with rescue efforts.

    “The magnitude of the calamity is bigger than estimated,” stated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a tweet, after visiting flooded areas.

    The worst flood ever in Pakistan taking place proper now.
    33 mil folks affected.
    784% above regular rainfall.

    This video is stunning.
    Watch the buildings getting taken out.

    🔊 pic.twitter.com/8f2lbRFQH7

    — Wall Street Silver (@WallStreetSilv) August 27, 2022

    https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

    In neighbouring Afghanistan, the Taliban administration additionally appealed for assist after flooding in central and japanese provinces.

    The dying toll from floods this month in Afghanistan had risen to 192, catastrophe authorities stated. Thousands of livestock had been killed and 1.7 million fruit bushes destroyed, elevating issues over how households would feed themselves going into the cooler months whereas the nation offers with an financial disaster.

    “We ask the humanitarian organisations, the international community and other related organisations and foundations to help us,” Sharafudden Muslim, the deputy director of Afghanistan’s catastrophe ministry, stated at a press convention, including greater than 1,000,000 households required help.

  • Flood-ravaged Pakistan to deploy Army to help in rescue and reduction work

    The Pakistan authorities has determined to name within the Army to assist in the rescue and reduction operations after many components of the nation had been ravaged by the worst floods in additional than a decade that has affected greater than 33 million individuals, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah mentioned on Saturday.

    So far 982 individuals have been killed attributable to floods throughout Pakistan. As many as 45 individuals died within the final 24 hours, in keeping with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

    Another 1,456 individuals had been harm, with 113 accidents reported within the final 24 hours, it mentioned.
    Interior Minister Sanaullah mentioned the armed forces had been being deployed within the wake of the largest floods in additional than a decade.

    He mentioned the troops have been referred to as in below Article 245 of the Constitution which empowers the federal government to summon the Army in help of the civilian administration to cope with an emergency.

    A proper notification issued on Friday learn that the precise variety of troops and space of deployment can be labored out by respective provincial governments in session with the navy operations directorate and General Headquarters.

    “The date of de-requisitioning of said deployment will be decided subsequently after mutual consultation among all stakeholders,” in keeping with the notification.

    The calamity has badly hit the infrastructure of the nation with the NDMA reporting that greater than 3,161 kilometres of street had been broken and 149 bridges swept away, whereas 682,139 homes had been completely or partially broken within the floods.

    Floods triggered by unprecedented monsoon rains have submerged greater than half of the nation, leaving greater than 5.7 million with out shelter and meals in 110 districts.

    Sindh and Balochistan provinces have been worst hit by the catastrophe and Pakistan Railway has suspended its operation at a number of locations within the two provinces whereas Pakistan International Airlines additionally halted on Friday its flights to Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, attributable to unhealthy climate.

    According to Minister for Environment Sherry Rehman, the nation usually witnesses about three to 4 spells of torrential rains yearly.

    However, Pakistan has this yr to date been hit by eight monsoon spells and extra downpour is predicted.
    The NDMA information exhibits that over the last 30 years the common rainfall within the monsoon season was 132.3 mm whereas to date 385.4 mm of rains have been recorded since June 14 — about 192 per cent greater than the earlier three a long time.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a gathering with a choose group of Islamabad-based Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and different senior members of the diplomatic corps ambassador on Friday briefed on the flood state of affairs within the nation.

    He mentioned that as per the preliminary harm evaluation, the losses brought on by the floods had been corresponding to these Pakistan suffered throughout the flash floods of 2010-11.

    The assembly was attended by Ambassadors and High Commissioners of Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Kuwait, UAE, Turkiye, South Korea, the US, Germany, and senior diplomats of Bahrain, the European Union, France, Oman, Qatar, the UK, and Saudi Arabia.

    The Country Representative of the World Food Programme (WFP) was additionally current on the assembly, in keeping with the Foreign Office.

    The Prime Minister mentioned that greater than 33 million individuals had been badly affected by the flash floods and torrential rainfalls.

    He mentioned that Pakistan’s carbon emission footprint was negligible however it was ranked on the eighth place among the many nations uncovered to the horrors of local weather change.

    Noting that local weather change has made flooding worse, the Prime Minister emphasised rehabilitation and reconstruction of climate-resilient infrastructure in Pakistan.

    Sharif mentioned that given the urgency of the problem, the federal government had determined to succeed in out to pleasant nations, donors, and worldwide monetary establishments for his or her continued cooperation at this tough hour.

    He mentioned that the Foreign Office and the NDMA had been carefully coordinating with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Islamabad to launch a UN Flash Appeal on August 30.

    Speaking on the event, international diplomats expressed condolences and sympathies to the individuals and the federal government on the lack of treasured lives and harm to infrastructure within the floods.

    They assured the federal government of their nation’s continued assist to satisfy the necessities of the rescue and reduction operations throughout Pakistan.

  • Govt calls in military for aid operations as flood continues to wreak havoc in Pakistan

    An undated video of a whole constructing getting washed away by floods in southern Pakistan is making the rounds on social media, with many customers attributing the incident to local weather disaster.

    Horrifying footage from S. #Pakistan at present of complete constructing washed away by floods. Over 935 folks killed, greater than 33 million affected, worst pure catastrophe for nation in a long time: pic.twitter.com/aO6ZMlQycf

    — Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) August 26, 2022

    With the rain-induced floods killing over 900 folks throughout the nation and leaving thousands and thousands with out shelter, the Pakistan authorities has already declared a nationwide emergency and has determined to name within the Army to assist in the rescue and aid operations.

    “Many parts of the country have been ravaged by the worst floods in more than a decade, affecting more than 33 million people,” mentioned inside minister Rana Sanaullah on Saturday.

    Read: Floods wreak havoc throughout Pakistan; 903 useless since mid-June

    According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the floods have killed 982 folks throughout Pakistan, with as many as 45 useless within the final 24 hours. Another 1,456 individuals have been damage, with 113 accidents reported within the final 24 hours, it mentioned.

    Sanaullah mentioned the armed forces are being deployed within the wake of the most important floods in additional than a decade.

    “The troops have been called in under Article 245 of the Constitution, which empowers the government to summon the Army in aid of the civilian administration to deal with an emergency,” he mentioned.

    A proper notification issued on Friday learn that the precise variety of troops and space of deployment could be labored out by respective provincial governments in session with the army operations directorate and common headquarters.

    “The date of de-requisitioning of said deployment will be decided subsequently after mutual consultation among all stakeholders,” mentioned the notification issued by the inside minister.

    The floods have wreaked havoc in Pakistan, ravaging the infrastructure of the nation, with the NDMA reporting that greater than 3,161 kilometres of street have been broken and 149 bridges swept away, whereas 6,82,139 homes have been completely or partially broken within the floods.

    According to the NDMA, 682,139 homes have been completely or partially broken within the floods. (Photo: Reuters)

    Floods triggered by unprecedented monsoon rains have submerged greater than half of the nation, leaving greater than 5.7 million with out shelter and meals in 110 districts.

    Sindh and Balochistan provinces have been worst hit by the catastrophe. According to the NDMA, Pakistan acquired 166.8 mm of rain in August, versus the common of 48 mm – a rise of 241%. Sindh and Balochistan witnessed a 784% and 496% improve in monsoon showers, respectively, the Dawn News reported.

    The Pakistan Railway has suspended its operations at a number of locations within the two provinces, whereas Pakistan International Airlines additionally halted on Friday its flights to Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, on account of dangerous climate.

    Minister for local weather change Sherry Rehman mentioned on Thursday {that a} “war room” has been arrange by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at NDMA, which might spearhead aid operations throughout the nation.

    — ENDS —

  • Top local weather tales of this week: Italy’s drought exposes historic bridge, California to section out gasoline autos, and extra

    From California shifting to section out gasoline autos within the local weather change combat to Italy’s worst drought in 70 years, listed here are the highest local weather tales from this week.

    1. Pakistan declares nationwide emergency as flood loss of life toll reaches 937

    Pakistan authorities has declared a nationwide emergency as rain-induced floods have to this point killed 937 folks, together with 343 kids, and left at the very least 30 million with out shelter. Sindh Province reported the best variety of deaths as 306 folks misplaced their lives on account of floods and rain-related incidents from June 14 to Thursday, in accordance with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

    Displaced folks carry belongings after they salvaged usable objects from their flood-hit residence as they wade via a flooded space in Jaffarabad, a district of Pakistan’s Baluchistan province, Aug. 25, 2022. (AP/PTI)

    Balochistan reported 234 deaths whereas Khyber Pakh­tun­khwa and Punjab Province recorded 185 and 165 deaths, respectively. In Pakistan-occupied Kash­mir, 37 folks had been killed whereas 9 deaths had been repor­ted within the Gilgit-Baltistan reg­ion through the present monsoon rains.

    2. California to section out gasoline autos

    California set itself on a path to finish the period of gas-powered automobiles, with air regulators adopting the world’s most stringent guidelines for transitioning to zero-emission autos.

    Cars are parked within the worker parking zone at Tesla Inc’s US automobile manufacturing unit in Fremont, California. (Reuters, file)

    The transfer by the California Air Resources Board to have all new automobiles, pickup vehicles and SUVs be electrical or hydrogen by 2035 is more likely to reshape the US auto market, which will get 10% of its gross sales from the nation’s most populous state. But such a radical transformation in what folks drive will even require at the very least 15 occasions extra automobile chargers statewide, a extra sturdy vitality grid and autos that individuals of all revenue ranges can afford. (AP)

    3. Dangerous warmth predicted to hit 3 occasions extra usually in future 

    What’s thought-about formally “dangerous heat” in coming a long time will probably hit a lot of the world at the very least thrice extra usually as local weather change worsens, in accordance with a brand new research.

    VIDEO: Firefighters battle a blaze close to Vall d’Ebo within the Valencia area of southern Spain. The wildfire started when lightning hit the realm late Saturday and has since unfold quickly, forcing the evacuation of greater than 1,000 folks and burning via practically 10,000 hectares. pic.twitter.com/manNZMBFel

    — AFP News Agency (@AFP) August 18, 2022

    In a lot of Earth’s rich mid-latitudes, spiking temperatures and humidity that really feel like 39.4 levels Celsius or increased — now an occasional summer time shock — statistically ought to occur 20 to 50 occasions a 12 months by mid-century, stated a research within the journal Communications Earth & Environment. By 2100, that brutal warmth index might linger for a lot of the summer time in locations just like the US Southeast, the research’s writer stated.

    This photograph supplied by the fireplace brigade of the Gironde area SDIS 33, (Departmental hearth and rescue service 33) exhibits an aerial view of a blaze close to Saint-Magne, south of Bordeaux, southwestern France. (SDIS 33 by way of AP, File)

    And it’s far worse for the sticky tropics. The research stated a warmth index thought-about “extremely dangerous” the place the feels-like warmth index exceeds 124 levels (51 levels Celsius) — now one thing that hardly ever occurs — will probably strike a tropical belt that features India one to 4 weeks a 12 months by century’s finish. (AP)

    4. Italy’s drought exposes historic imperial bridge over Tiber 

    Italy’s worst drought in 70 years has uncovered the piers of an historic bridge over the Tiber River as soon as utilized by Roman emperors however which fell into disrepair by the third century. Two piers of Nero’s Bridge have been seen a lot of the summer time close to the Vittorio Emanuele bridge that traverses the river close to the Vatican, a pile of moss-covered rocks the place seagulls now solar themselves.

    The ruins of the traditional Roman Neronian bridge, emerge from the river mattress of the Tiber river, in Rome, Aug. 22, 2022. (AP)

    The bridge was constructed within the first century for Emperor Nero to achieve his gardens close to Janiculum Hill close to what’s present-day St. Peter’s Square, stated historian Anthony Majanlahti. The bridge was already falling aside by the third century, visitors was diverted to the close by Sant’Angelo Bridge, which funnelled pilgrims previous the Castel Sant’Angelo to the Vatican. (AP)

    5. People dealing with acute meals insecurity attain 345 million worldwide

    The variety of folks dealing with acute meals insecurity worldwide has greater than doubled to 345 million since 2019 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, battle and local weather change, the World Food Programme (WFP) stated on Wednesday.

    Before the coronavirus disaster, 135 million suffered from acute starvation worldwide, stated Corinne Fleischer, the WFP’s regional director, instructed Reuters. The numbers have climbed since and are anticipated to soar additional due to local weather change and battle.