Scores of people were killed and dozens went missing in the past 24 hours as monsoon downpours and roaring floodwaters continued to pound the country.
Millions of people in flood-ravaged areas are without electricity and gas.
(AFP)
Pakistan has neared the grim milestone of 1,000 deaths in rain-related incidents since mid-June, with swirling floods triggered by torrential downpour sweeping the country.
Another 45 people were killed and dozens went missing in the past 24 hours as monsoon downpours and roaring floodwaters continued to pound the country, according to officials and local media on Saturday.
With half of the South Asian nuclear country under water, the government announced a full-fledged deployment of the army in all four provinces, and the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region to back the civil administration, which is struggling to cope with the unprecedented magnitude of the catastrophe, state-run Pakistan Television reported.
The latest flooding caused by incessant rains displaced thousands in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, southwestern Balochistan and southern Sindh provinces, adding to the already increasing number of victims.
Most of the fatalities were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, followed by Sindh and Balochistan, pushing the overall toll to 982 since June 14, according to Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority.
However, at a press conference in Islamabad, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the number was over 1,000.
The ongoing monsoon spells, combined with massive flash floods, have left 30 million Pakistanis without shelter. Millions of people in flood-ravaged areas are without electricity and gas.
Raging waters from the Kabul River inundated Noshehra, Charsaddah and Madan districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the government has converted schools and government buildings into shelter camps for thousands of displaced people, local broadcaster Geo News reported.
Massive floods swept away hundreds of houses, restaurants, bridges, and even several multi-storey hotels perched on the banks of the Swat River in the scenic Swat Valley, a favourite tourist attraction.
The southwestern Chaman border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan remained closed due to heavy rains and flooding.
READ MORE:Dozens more die as Pakistan blames 'horrors' of climate crisis for floods
Journalist Syed Ali Shah has the latest on floods in Pakistan from southwestern city of Quetta pic.twitter.com/5MbZPVdDPX
Türkiye to send humanitarian aidThe week-long rains that already destroyed much of the infrastructure and agriculture in the otherwise arid province have come to an end in the eastern districts.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Saturday released a statement, saying that they are "deeply saddened by the loss of many of our Pakistani brothers" as a result of the heavy damage caused by floods.
Türkiye will send a plane carrying humanitarian aid to Pakistan "in order to heal the wounds of our Pakistani brothers who were affected by the flood," according to the statement.
Also, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu spoke with his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari over the phone, offering his condolences for those who lost their lives in the floods and pledging Türkiye’s support.
READ MORE:Pakistan declares national emergency as floods leave at least 1,000 dead
Source: AA
KARACHI: All government and private across Sindh will remain closed on Friday and Saturday (August 26-27) amid warnings of heavy rainfall, the education department has announced.
“Government and private educational institutions will remain closed for next two days on August 26 and 27, due to rain emergency,” the notification issued by the provincial department read.
The decision regarding school closure was taken by the Provincial Education Minister Sardar Shah due to a rain emergency and rain forecast.
In a statement, the minister said: "There is still a flood situation in many districts of Sindh and most of the schools and colleges of Sindh are underwater and have been turned into relief campuses for the victims."
Two days ago, in view of the misery caused by the rains and the latest Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) advisory, the Government of Sindh had announced the closure of schools and colleges across the province for two days (Wednesday and Thursday).
The move was followed the Board of Intermediate Education (BIEK), Karachi, announcing the postponement of exams scheduled for August 24 and 25.
Motorcyclists passing through rainwater accumulated at Kazi Qaiyoum Road after heavy rain in Hyderabad. — APP/File
More than 1.9 million people have been affected in Sindh due to heavy rainfall.
PDMA says 263 deaths have been reported in Sindh, including 120 children and 35 women.
Met Office says well-marked low pressure located over east Rajasthan likely to approach Sindh tonight.
Above-normal rain in Sindh, which has flooded hundreds of villages and low-lying areas in cities and towns across the province, has disrupted routine life and led to the deaths of hundreds.
In view of the misery caused by the rains and the latest Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) advisory, the Government of Sindh on Tuesday announced the closure of schools and colleges across the province for two days.
The move followed the Board of Intermediate Education (BIEK), Karachi, announcing the postponement of exams scheduled for August 24 and 25.
Meanwhile, due to the "rain emergency" — as put by the Sindh government — the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) wrote a letter to National Disaster Management Authority seeking the army’s assistance to the civil administration.
Rain affects 1.9 million people in Sindh
A report released by the PDMA has noted that more than 1.9 million people in Sindh have been adversely affected due to heavy rainfall.
It said that 263 deaths were reported in Sindh, including 120 children and 35 women and 30,150 cattle died in rain-related accidents.
Meanwhile, a total of 701 injuries were reported across Sindh, including 144 children.
The PDMA also said that approximately 104,000 houses were completely destroyed while the infrastructure of 225,677 houses was damaged.
A view of damaged houses at New Nazar Colony after heavy rain in the Larkana. —
Army comes to rescue
Amid country-wide flooding, Pakistan Army troops are busy in rescue and relief operations in flood-hit areas of Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), rescue and relief efforts are underway in Hyderabad, Sanghar, Badin, Thatta, Jamshoro, Noshero Feroz and various other districts of Sindh.
Special army helicopters were flown from Karachi to affected areas of interior Sindh to speed up rescue and relief efforts.
Food supplies are being distributed in affected areas and medical aid is also being provided to the affected people.
In Punjab, Pakistan Army helicopters have assisted civil administration in the distribution of relief goods for flood-hit people in far-flung and inaccessible areas of DG Khan district.
FC KP troops are also assisting civil administration in flood relief operations in Chitral and other flood-hit areas.
PMD forecasts more rains
The PMD released an advisory earlier in the day forecasting more rains in the country during the week.
The Met Office said that a well-marked low pressure located over east Rajasthan, India, is likely to move in the northwest direction and approach Sindh tonight.
“Due to this strong weather system monsoon currents are penetrating in southern and upper parts of the country,” the PMD warned.
Under the influence of this weather system:
More rain-wind/thundershowers (with scattered heavy to very heavy falls) are expected in Sindh, south Punjab, south and northeastern Balochistan from August 23-26 with occasional gaps
Rain-wind/thundershowers (with isolated heavy falls) are expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan from August 23 (night) to 26 with occasional gaps
Moreover, heavy rains may generate urban flooding in Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Jam, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Khairpur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu, Naushahro Feroz, Larkana, Jaccobabad and Sukkur on August 24 and 25
Announcement was made by Sindh Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah.
Mehran University, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Campus Khairpur will also remain closed.
Decision taken in line with the forecast of Pakistan Meteorological Department.
KARACHI: All government and private schools across Sindh will remain closed on Thursday (August 18) amid warnings of heavy rainfall.
The announcement was made by the Sindh Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah late Wednesday evening.
The minister said that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has instructed the department to announce a holiday for schools.
Earlier, several private educational institutions had already announced that they would remain closed on August 18 amid the deteriorating situation of the city's roads due to the rains.
Moreover, Mehran University and Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Campus Khairpur will also remain closed tomorrow.
It should be noted that several areas of Karachi reported heavy rain today afternoon as citizens brace themselves for more rain forecast in the port city till August 19.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has told authorities to remain on high alert in its latest forecast on the torrential monsoon rains and urban flooding in Sindh and Balochistan.
The downpour continued in various areas of the city, including Malir, North Nazimabad, II Chundrigar Road, Saddar, Liaquatabad, M.A. Jinnah Road, Numaish Chowrangi, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Shahra-e-Faisal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, and adjacent regions.
Some fights have been cancelled and bullet train services delayed, with rainfall expected to worsen in Tokyo and areas north of Tokyo later in the day.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said that Meari made landfall in Shizuoka Prefecture, southwest of Tokyo.
()
Tropical storm Meari has unleashed heavy rains on Japan's main Honshu island, heading northward toward capital Tokyo, according to Japanese weather officials.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said that Meari made landfall in Shizuoka Prefecture, southwest of Tokyo, on Saturday afternoon, bringing sudden heavy rains and blasting winds, and prompting warnings about mudslides and flooding.
More than 72,000 people in the area's main city of Shizuoka were told to evacuate due to possible landslides.
Meari, packing sustained winds of up to 72 kilometres (45 miles) per hour, passed over Shizuoka and was traveling at a speed of about 20 kilometres (12 miles) an hour and was expected to continue northward before veering eastward, swinging over the Pacific Ocean by early Sunday.
The Tokyo area was hammered by periodic downpours starting late morning. Warnings on high waves in coastal areas were issued for Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture, southwest of Tokyo, and other nearby areas.
The authorities warned against going near rivers or other water bodies, as the levels may rise suddenly. Rainfall was expected to worsen in Tokyo and areas north of Tokyo in the evening, they said. Warnings on flooding, strong winds and heavy rainfall were issued for the Tokyo area.
Japanese media reports showed video of rivers rising perilously, almost reaching bridge decks, as rain splashed down on homes and people scurried in the streets, clinging to their umbrellas.
Japan is in the middle of the Bon summer holidays, and vacationers are traveling in droves but some have had to cancel or change plans.
The Rock in Japan Festival 2022, which began a week ago in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, canceled the event for Saturday, the final day of the outdoor festival, and promised ticket refunds.
All Nippon Airways has canceled some local flights in response to the storm. Low-cost carrier Skymark Airlines also canceled some flights. Bullet train services were delayed, and speed limits in tunnels in Shizuoka were temporarily lowered as a cautionary measure. Sections of the Tomei Expressway, which connects Tokyo with Nagoya, were temporarily blocked off because of the heavy rainfall.
Northern Japan has had some heavy rainfall lately, and worries were growing about landslides. Rainfall was forecast to subside by early Sunday in the Tokyo area, but then it will hit northeastern Japan.
The world’s third largest economy has often seen deaths and injuries caused by seasonal storms and torrential rainfall that damage dams, blow off rooftops and bring down power lines.
The death toll from severe flooding in eastern Kentucky has risen to 28 people, including several children, and the governor said more fatalities are expected as search-and-rescue teams go door-to-door in the Appalachian foothills to assess the damage.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced the latest death toll in a news release Sunday evening.
“We are still focused on meeting the immediate needs of providing food, water and shelter for thousands of our fellow Kentuckians who have been displaced by this catastrophic flood,” he said in the release. “At the same time, we have started on the long road to eventual recovery.”
Earlier Sunday, Beshear said that rescue crews were continuing to search for survivors as the rain resumed and that authorities had unconfirmed reports of additional deaths.
Because of hazardous conditions such as downed power lines, as well as spotty cellphone service, he said some affected areas are inaccessible and the state doesn’t have a “firm grasp” on the number of missing.
“With the level of water, we’re going to be finding bodies for weeks, many of them swept hundreds of yards, maybe a quarter-mile-plus from where they were lost,” Beshear told NBC News’s “Meet the Press.”
The Lexington Herald-Leader put the death toll at 33 on Sunday night, based on reports of additional deaths from two county coroners’ offices.
In some families, everyone in their household perished, the governor said. The state was doubling the National Guard to search for victims, he said.
Among the most tragic stories has been the death of four siblings who had clambered onto their roof to escape rising floodwaters. After the roof collapsed, the family clung to tree branches, according to an account in the Herald-Leader. A swell of water swept the children away.
The disaster has led to flash flooding, landslides and mudslides. The storms displaced hundreds of residents and caused “hundreds of millions of dollars” in damage, the governor said in a YouTube video posted Sunday.He has said it could take years to rebuild in the region. Kentucky Power reported on Twitter that as of midday Sunday, power had been restored to about 50 percent of customers who had lost it.
According to the news release Sunday evening, 359 survivors are being temporarily sheltered at 15 shelters and at two state parks and campgrounds.
The Kentucky floods were caused by 1-in-1,000-year rainstorms that scientists say are emblematic of the type of extreme weather that will become more common as the Earth warms.
On “Meet the Press,” Beshear addressed the extreme weather — including an unusual spate of tornadoes in December that devastated parts of Kentucky and other states — and said officials must ensure that the state’s “roads, our bridges, our culverts, our flood walls can withstand greater intensity.”
Rural water and wastewater systems are easily overwhelmed, he said, and upgrading their infrastructure is “so expensive.” He said the American Rescue Plan and the bipartisan infrastructure legislation passed last year were a “good start” and allowed the state to afford improvements “that we haven’t been able to do before.”
“But if we truly want to be more resilient, it is going to take a major federal investment as well as here in the state,” Beshear said.
The National Weather Service is predictingseveral rounds of showers and storms for the area from Sunday through Tuesday, with flash flooding possible. A “brief dry period” is expected Wednesday, but Thursday could bring more rain.
Beshear urged residents to take precautions.
“Next couple days are going to be hard,” he saidin the YouTube video. “We’ve got rain and maybe even a lot of rain that’s going to hit the same areas. Please pray for the people in these areas, and if you are in the areas that are going to get hit by rain, make sure you stay safe. Make sure you have a place that is higher ground. Go to a shelter.”
According to IRNA, Col Ahmed Shirani On Friday, he told reporters: Chalus Road and Tehran-North Freeway (return route) have been closed since 23:30 last night due to heavy rain and the possibility of asphalt settlement until further notice, as well as Haraz Road due to the continuation of cleaning operations. The mud is closed until further notice, and the road from Sulqan to Imamzadeh Dawood (AS) is also blocked due to the continued cleaning of the road surface.
He added: Currently, the alternate routes of Firuzkoh Road and Qazvin Rasht Freeway are open for traffic to the northern provinces and vice versa, and the road has smooth traffic. Most of the blocked routes have been reopened in the past day, and a number of main roads including Shahdad-Nehbandan, Regan-Iranshahr and Zahedan-Mirjaveh are still blocked.
Colonel Shirani continued: Bandar Khamir - Bandar Lange road in the area of Konkh village is closed until further notice and traffic is carried out through the alternative route of Bandar Khmir - Dezhgan - Bandar Lange.
Referring to the weather condition on the roads, he also said: some roads in the provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran, Golestan, Tehran, Qom, Isfahan, Yazd, Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari, Kohkiloyeh and Boyer Ahmad, Fars, Kerman and Bushehr are affected by wind and It is a storm and rain, for this reason, strong wind causes dust and reduces the driver's field of vision and increases the possibility of chain accidents, rains increase the slipperiness of the road surface and maintain a safe speed and increase the length distance from the car in front. It is necessary in this situation.
The head of Traffic Police Information and Control Center advised: Driving in these conditions requires more caution and full preparation in facing these conditions. We advise the drivers, especially in the goods and passenger transport sector, to take more time to reach their destination during these days and to travel with more caution and reduce the driving speed compared to normal conditions and to be informed about the weather conditions along the route before traveling.
also Pirhossein Kolivand, head of the Red Crescent Society Yesterday, in an interview with IRNA, stating that 18 provinces of the country are affected by floods, he advised people to avoid being near rivers and mountainous areas until the 10th of August.
The provinces of Sistan and Baluchistan, Isfahan, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Kerman, Yazd, Fars, Bushehr, Semnan, Alborz, Qazvin, Qom, Tehran, Zanjan, Gilan, Mazandaran, Golestan and North North Khorasan, Hormozgan and Khuzestan. The provinces are affected by floods and Red Crescent services are being carried out non-stop to deal with floods and help fellow citizens.
Intermittent monsoon rains continued to batter parts of Karachi since last night. — Twitter/@karachiwaly90
Karachiites were delighted to wake up to the second spell of heavy rainfall, however, it soon created an unpleasant situation as rains caused urban flooding, making life paralysed for many.
The downpour caused the commuters to face obstacles while travelling as rainwater accumulated in several areas and entered shops and houses.
Intermittent monsoon rains continued to batter parts of Karachi since last night, submerging several low-lying areas of the port city.
Let's take look at how Karachi looked after heavy rainfall on Sunday.
Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast heavy rain in the metropolis today.
According to chief meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz, the monsoon system is affecting Sindh and heavy rain is expected in Karachi between 8 and 9am today while heavy rain may continue intermittently throughout the day.The highest amount of rainfall received during the last 24 hours was in Quaidabad (4.5mm), followed by Saddar (4mm), Korangi (3mm), Gulshan-i-Hadeed (3mm), PAF Masroor base (2.4mm), Orangi Town (2mm), University Road (1.5mm), PAF Faisal base (1.5mm), Keamari (1.4mm), Jinnah Terminal (0.8mm), DHA Phase 2 (0.6mm), North Karachi (0.6mm) and old airport area (0.6mm), data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) showed.
Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab said it had been "raining constantly" in Karachi since early morning.
"However, the situation so far has been under control. All main roads and underpasses remain clear for traffic. Water piled up on the side of the roads will be brushed out," he said.
