Tag: floods

  • Across borders: Rahul Gandhi extends heartfelt sympathies to Pakistan’s flood victims

    The leader of India’s Congress party, Rahul Gandhi, has extended his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved flood-affected families of Pakistan.

    In a tweet on Friday, Gandhi said, “The floods in Pakistan are a terrible tragedy. My heartfelt sympathies to all the people affected and deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.”

    Earlier, Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi also offered condolences to Pakistan.

    In a tweet posted on August 29, Modi said he was, “Saddened to see the devastation,” of the floods, adding that he hoped to see an early return to normalcy.

    PM Shehbaz Sharif had replied to his Indian counterpart’s tweet, thanking him for his words of condolence.

    Devastating floods in Pakistan have wreaked havoc across the country, leaving a path of destruction and loss in their wake. More than 1,400 people have lost their lives, one-third of whom are children.

    Record monsoon rains and melting glaciers triggered the disaster. The United Nations (UN) and Pakistan have linked the extreme weather to climate change; some 600,000 people have fled their homes.

    As many as 33 million people of the 220 million South Asian nation have been affected in some way by the floods that swept away houses, roads, railways and bridges and submerged around 4 million acres of farmland.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is currently in Pakistan and all set to visit flood-affected areas of the country today (Saturday).

    On Friday, Guterres said that Pakistan is one of the countries most affected by climate change despite its minimal contribution to the phenomenon.

    During a briefing at the National Flood Response Coordination Centre (NFRCC), the UN chief said, “Pakistan has had little contribution to climate change but it is one of the most dramatically impacted by the consequences of climate change.”

    Earlier this week, PM Shehbaz said that the financial impact of the biblical floods might be in the “trillions”.

  • Naseem Shah to auction his match-winning bat for flood victims

    Naseem Shah has announced the auction of his six-smashing bat, which he used against Afghanistan in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022.

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared a video of Mohmmad Hasnain and Naseem Shah. In the video, Hasnain can be seen gifting his bat to Naseem Shah.

    Hasnain in the video said “By now you know about the inning played by Naseem, which he played outstandingly and led Pakistan to victory by repeating the time when Javed Miandad hit a sixer and this time it was our Naseem, our shehzada [prince], our tiger. So this bat that he played with last night was mine and now I’m gifting it to him so he can do whatever he wants with it.”

    After accepting the bat from Hasnain, Shah thanked him and said that he would auction the bat. He stated that half of the revenues will be donated to flood victims in Pakistan.

    At he very end of the nail-biting match between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Naseem Shah smashed two sixes on two balls and powered Pakistan into the final of Asia Cup 2022 against Sri Lanka on September 11. In the process, he sealed his place in history too.

  • UN Chief António says climate change has attacked wrong targets

    UN Chief António says climate change has attacked wrong targets

    United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres has said that Pakistan was one of the countries most severely affected by climate change despite its minimal contribution to the phenomenon.

    “Pakistan has had little contribution to climate change but [it] is one of the most dramatically impacted by the consequences of climate change,” Guterres said.

    Guterres during a briefing at the National Flood Response Coordination Centre (NFRCC) alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Secretary General said that there was “no memory of anything similar to what has happened with the impact of climate change in Pakistan”.

    Pakistan needs massive financial support

    “The numbers are appalling. But beyond the numbers, I see the families that have lost their loved ones, houses, crops, jobs and are living in desperate conditions,” he expressed.

    “Pakistan needs massive financial support to respond to this crisis as according to initial estimates the losses are around $30 billion,” observed Guterres.

    “Effective solidarity and justice is shown by mobilising massive support,” the UN chief said.

    Nature has attacked the wrong targets

    “It is like nature has attacked the wrong targets. Those that are more responsible for climate change should have to face these kind of challenges,” he stated.

    Guterres stressed that it is the international community’s obligation to drastically reduce emissions and support countries that need to invest in resilience and recovery.

    “My voice is entirely at the service of Pakistan and its people. We know our contribution is limited […] but we are totally committed.”

    Challenge is absolutely beyond human capacities, yet humans have to handle it and we are

    Speaking at the briefing, PM Shehbaz Sharif said that the UN chief’s empathy and support was great encouragement for Pakistan, as he expressed gratitude towards the visiting dignitary.

    “The government of Pakistan, along with the provincial governments and all stakeholders […] are working together to provide relief and rescue to millions,” the premier said.

    PM Shehbaz said that efforts were underway and flood affectees were being moved to safer areas while also being provided food and shelter. “The challenge is absolutely beyond human capacity, yet humans have to handle it and so we are.”

    UN chief in Pakistan on solidarity visit after catastrophic flooding

    The prime minister had welcomed the UN secretary general as he arrived at the PM House along with his delegation.

    Guterres arrived in the capital during the early hours of Friday. The secretary general had announced his plan for a solidarity trip to Pakistan soon after the launch of the $160 million UN Flash Appeal for helping the people most affected by the floods caused by what he had called “monsoon on steroids”.

    He will be back in New York on September 11 where the 77th session of the UN General Assembly is starting on September 13.

  • ‘Never seen this level of devastation’: first-hand account of what’s going on in flood affected areas

    ‘Never seen this level of devastation’: first-hand account of what’s going on in flood affected areas

    Pakistan is in the throes of devastating floods that have wreaked havoc across all four provinces. The scale of devastation has been estimated to be more than $10 billion. Midwife, public health practitioner and founder of Mama Baby Funds (MBF), Neha Mankani, visited the flood-affected area of Dadu, located in Sindh, which is through and through inundated with floods.

    Neha Mankani, who was in the area for two days shared her experience of what she calls a devastation she has never seen in her career. Dadu is strategically located in an area where it gets water from Manchar, Hamal Lakes and hill flows from Gorak Hills.

    Talking about the wreckage, Mankani said, “It’s safe to say I have never seen this level of devastation in my entire career.”

    Sharing pictures from the site on her Instagram story, Mankani wrote, “The next few images are of the water separating Dadu city and Juhi- which now has many many villages under it.”

    “There are IDP’s on the embankments of cities in makeshifts tents. The boat ride was an hour long and cost Rs 600 per person, a simple equation of demand and supply. We encountered two maternal deaths and 25 pregnant women in the first hour of our arrival. Both women died because they couldn’t get care on time.”

    “I wore a lifejacket for the first time. We heard many incidents of boast tipping over because they got stuck in trees or electric poles under the water. A flood water lake that’s swallowed 100’s of homes felt a lot more untrustworthy than the sea I’m used to.”

    Mankani explaining the aftermath and the toll the devastation has caused said, “Sujag Sansar [a right-based development organization working for the marginalized in most backward areas] told us that no one is really thinking about the children and how they are dealing at camps.” She further explained that women were given basic things like baltis, lotas, detergent, mosquito coil, towels, shoes, matches, and hygiene products. Sujag Sansar also informed them about how floods had taken them 50 years back, as everything was drowned under water.

    Mankani along with the volunteers who had accompanied her said that women their were told how to use medicals kits, make ORS and how will they be able to manage basic health challenges at their camps. Mankani also conducted an antenatal clinic both for women and some babies in a school.

    Explaining the conditions of health care, Mankani said that a baby was born on a boat without any medical support. She said that they found no health care providers on either side of the water- except for one government dispensary with a caretaker who dispenses medicines when he felt like and one woman who had turned herself into a dai after she reached the camps.

    The MBF founder further said that once they reached the boat dock, the only option for them was a donkey cart or wading through knee deep water. Adamant on spreading the message of the antenatal camp, Mankani said that they wanted to give women on both sides of the water the idea of the camp. And on how many clean delivery kits were needed to get to them.

  • Balochistan appoints its first female deputy commissioner

    Balochistan appoints its first female deputy commissioner

    Ayesha Zehri has been appointed Balochistan’s first female Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Nasirabad district.

    It is the first time in the administrative history of the province that a female officer was appointed as DC of any district.

    The appointment took place on Tuesday and she assumed her new responsibilities after a notification of the appointment was issued by the Services and General Administration.

    Chief Minister (CM) Balochistan Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo said that Zehri’s appointment reflects confidence in the abilities of women from the province.

    “Women are an important part of society. Empowering women and making full use of their abilities is one of the priorities of our government. The appointment of the first female officer in the province as a deputy commissioner is an expression of confidence in the abilities of the women of the province. I pray for her success”, he added.

    Replying to the CM, Ayesha thanked him for acknowledging her efforts.

    Prior to this appointment, she had held the post of Assistant Commissioner (AC) of the Khichi district. In Nasirabad, Ayesha has replaced DC Mohammad Hussain.

    Earlier this month, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif visited Balochistan where he appreciated Ayesha for her work during floods.

    In a video, it can be seen that the PM along with CM Bizenjo clapped for Ayesha.

    Who is she?

    DC Ayesha Zehri did her BE in Electrical Engineering from Khuzdar Engineering University and Wapda. In 2017, she appeared in the Provincial Services Commission exam and joined the provincial services.

    As assistant commissioner of the Chagai district, Zehri conducted many raids against criminals and drug smugglers and arrested a number of suspects.

    During the rain emergency in Bolan, she helped the flood-stricken passengers stranded between Bibi Nani and Pinjra Bridge.

  • Floods damage Mohenjo Daro, site may be withdrawn from world heritage list

    Floods damage Mohenjo Daro, site may be withdrawn from world heritage list

    The department of archaeology has asked for immediate attention to conservation and restoration work at Mohenjo Daro, fearing that if such work is not taken up immediately, the site may be withdrawn from the World Heritage list.

    From August 16 to 26, the archaeological ruins of Mohenjo Daro received record rains of 779.5mm. It caused significant damage to the site and the partial collapse of several structures, including the stupa dome’s protective wall.

    It caused significant damage to the site and the partial collapse of several structures, including the stupa dome’s protective wall.

    The curator of the site wrote a letter to the director of culture, antiquities and archaeology on Aug 29 about the condition of the heritage site. “We have put in efforts to protect the site with our resources,” it read.

    Rainwater from neighbouring agricultural lands had flooded the disposal channel due to neglect of the negligence of different departments including irrigation, roads, highways and forest.

    “The archaeology official had called for immediate contact with the irrigation and roads departments for the repair of the bund, breached canal dykes and removal of pipes.”

    The curator has proposed sending experts (conservators and engineers) to assess the damage caused by the downpours. Archaeology officials stationed at Mohenjo Daro are currently repairing the structures that have been damaged.

    Pakistan is experiencing one of the worst floods in its history. In the last 24 hours, 11 more deaths have occurred, which has taken the death toll to 1,325. More than 1/3 of the country is inundated with millions displaced from their homes.

  • Men need to know, it’s time to talk about the menstrual period

    Men need to know, it’s time to talk about the menstrual period

    Pakistan is in the throes of devastating floods that have wreaked havoc across all four provinces. The scale of devastation has been estimated to be more than $10 billion. And yet with thousands of lives lost, and millions homeless, we are still debating on whether sending sanitary napkins to the flood-affected areas is a good idea or not. As per an estimate, 8.2 million women in flood-affected areas are of reproductive age. Menstruating women in disaster-hit areas require access to safe and clean menstruation hygiene products. We need to understand that periods don’t pause during floods or rains. It’s a natural process that keeps happening every month to every woman of age. There are women who are pregnant. There might be a few girls who will get their periods for the time. Due to the present conditions when there is no clean water, the use of cloth can be dangerous as well. There are reports that women have had to resort to using leaves in the flood-affected areas during their periods.

    Read more: Floods in Pakistan: Should you donate sanitary pads?

    In times like these when every human matters, why does it happen that women are so conveniently put under the radar and a product that is a basic need for any woman of age, becomes a topic of debate in terms of whether it is a luxury or a necessity? When will people learn to accept that talking or educating about periods is not taboo? It’s about a woman’s hygiene and health. We all need to understand that men and women all need to be treated the same way, with dignity and equality. All of them need the same basic facilities.

    It will take a lot of effort and manpower to provide the rehabilitation and relief needed for millions of people. It’s time we hit pause on always putting women under the radar and for once act with reason and responsibility towards them. We need to learn to empathise with the flood victims without gender discrimination.

  • ‘September sitamgar hoga’: Sheikh Rasheed announces Khan’s march in Islamabad

    ‘September sitamgar hoga’: Sheikh Rasheed announces Khan’s march in Islamabad

    Former interior minister and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed said on Sunday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan will give a call to his supporters to march towards Islamabad once the flood situation eases down.

    Rasheed took to his Twitter handle and warned: “Sitambar Sitamgar ho ga (September will be cruel)”.

    The former federal minister pointed out that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has made yet another agreement of Rs608 billion with the government. “First they robbed the treasury and now the people’s pockets”, he said.

    “Floods have opened the eyes of the people of Sindh, the floods have destroyed the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) reputation. How will other countries give aid when the people of the country refuse to give money to money launderers?”

    He said that the people can not bear the burden of increasing petrol and power prices, yet the “government continues to raise them”.

    In a series of tweets, he said that IMF knows that there is a weak majority of the government and people can come to the streets.

    “The time is not far when factories and shops will be closed, people will be on the streets”, he warned again while adding that floods have become a matter of “political point scoring”.

    Rasheed’s statement came a day after Imran Khan warned the government to stop the “persecution” of his party workers otherwise he will again march on Islamabad.

    He said the government would have “no place to hide” in the event he comes to Islamabad.

  • ‘Floods are a lesson’: Ahsan Iqbal criticises construction on waterways

    ‘Floods are a lesson’: Ahsan Iqbal criticises construction on waterways

    Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal along with the representatives of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Pakistan Army briefed media personnel at the National Flood Response and Coordination Center, Islamabad regarding flood relief work today (Saturday), reports Radio Pakistan.

    National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Akhtar Nawaz said that the year 2022 showed the realities of climate change in Pakistan. “We saw four heatwaves that caused forest fires and monsoon rains began prematurely,” he said.

    “We had predicted 25 percent more rainfall this year but it turned out to be 190 percent higher. We saw glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) as well,” he explained.
    Ahsan Iqbal, while talking to the media said, “Pakistan’s carbon emission is less than 1 per cent however, we are among the countries that are most vulnerable to the climatic disasters.

    “The scale of the floods warrants a major humanitarian response for which the support of the international community has started pouring in and we are extremely grateful. However, the scale of devastation is massive and requires a large humanitarian response,” he remarked.

    “The floods are a lesson for Pakistan as it proves that buildings should be constructed on waterways,” he added.

    Pakistan is experiencing one of the worst floods of its history. In the last 24 hours, 57 more deaths have occurred which has taken the death toll to 1,265.

  • ‘Pehaly insan bano, phir siyasatdan bano!’: Bilawal on Khan for holding public rallies

    Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari berated former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan for holding public rallies as the aftermath of severe flooding keeps on unfolding across the country.

    “Pakistan is facing the biggest disaster in our history. One-third of our country is underwater! One-seventh of our citizens are affected, 35 million people. The former PM is holding concerts in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa & Punjab,” tweeted Bilawal, directing his anger towards Khan who addressed a public gathering in Gujrat, on September 2.

    The chief ministers of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are busy organising concerts of the former prime minister instead of helping flood victims, accused Bilawal.

    Calling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) behaviour “shameful”, Bilawal said, “Pehaly insan bano, phir siyasatdan bano! [First, become a human being, then become a politician].”

    Addressing a public rally in Gujrat, Khan warned the government against political victimisation of PTI activists. “If this continues, PTI will come to Islamabad, and there will be no place left for them to hide,” the former Premier said.

    Khan has repeatedly said that the PTI’s movement for Haqeeqi Azadi will continue alongside its flood relief work. In his recent speeches, Khan has made it clear that his struggle against ‘thieves’ will continue whether come what may.

    Pakistan is in the throes of devastating floods which have wreaked havoc across all four provinces. The scale of devastation has been estimated to be upwards of $10 billion.