Tag: monsoon

  • Rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa kill 19 within two days

    Rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa kill 19 within two days

    Torrential monsoon rains and flash floods have devastated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in 19 deaths and 15 injuries over the past two days.

    According to a report from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), severe weather has affected Dara Adamkhel, Bajaur, Chitral, Dir, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swat, Charsadda, Swabi, South Waziristan, and Hangu. Fatalities include 11 children, four women, and four men, while 15 others have been injured.

    The report also states that 61 houses have been damaged, with 24 completely destroyed. Landslides have blocked roads in Kohistan, Mansehra, Swat, Chitral, Dir, and other areas, and many bridges have been washed away. Relief efforts are underway, with machinery being deployed to clear blocked highways and assist affected areas.

  • Kardashians in India for billionaire wedding gala

    Kardashians in India for billionaire wedding gala

    Socialite sisters Kim and Khloe Kardashian were among the global celebrities spotted in India on Friday to attend a lavish three-day wedding ceremony staged by Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani.

    Ambani’s youngest son Anant and fiancee Radhika Merchant, both 29, will tie the knot over the weekend in the financial capital Mumbai following months of pre-marriage parties that have set a new benchmark in matrimonial extravagance.

    Earlier celebrations included a European cruise for 1,200 guests, a purpose-built Hindu temple at the Ambani family’s ancestral home and private performances by R&B star Rihanna and Canada’s Justin Bieber.

    The Kardashians are the latest in a long line of famous foreign VIPs to make an appearance.

    Elder sister Kim shared an Instagram story showing her car mobbed by Indian photographers shortly after her arrival and both siblings receiving flower garlands from staff at their luxury hotel.

    Fellow celebrity guests including actor John Cena posed for cameras on the red carpet upon their arrival at the venue, a huge convention centre owned by the Ambani family’s conglomerate.

    Former British prime ministers Boris Johnson and Tony Blair were also spotted by reporters arriving at Mumbai airport ahead of the party beginning later on Friday.

    In June, the couple embarked on a four-day Mediterranean cruise, where singer Katy Perry performed at a masquerade ball at a French chateau in Cannes.

    The Backstreet Boys, US rapper Pitbull and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli also provided entertainment.

    Guests at earlier galas have included Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and former US president Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka, along with a who’s who of India’s sporting and entertainment worlds.

    This week’s opulent celebrations are set to raise the bar further, with even more celebrities, politicians and global business elites jetting into monsoon-hit Mumbai.

    Several major roads around the venue have been closed off to the public by authorities for most of the weekend.

    Friday will see the main formal ceremony at the 16,000-person capacity venue, with a separate “blessing ceremony” on Saturday and a grand reception on Sunday.

    – $123 billion fortune –

    Anant’s father Mukesh is chairman of Reliance Industries, a family-founded conglomerate that has grown into India’s biggest company by market cap.

    The patriarch is the world’s 11th richest person with a fortune of more than $123 billion, according to Forbes, and is no stranger to making a statement when it comes to family marriages.

    He held the most expensive wedding in India to date for his daughter in 2018, which reportedly cost $100 million and saw US singer Beyonce perform.

    Ambani is also a key ally of India’s right-wing Hindu nationalist leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    He inherited a thriving industrial enterprise spanning oil, gas and petrochemicals and grew it into a commercial behemoth.

    Its lucrative interests include retail partnerships with Armani and other luxury brands, more than 40 percent of India’s mobile phone market and an Indian Premier League cricket team.

    His 27-floor family home Antilia is one of Mumbai’s most prominent landmarks, reportedly costing more than $1 billion to build and with a permanent staff of 600 servants.

    Merchant is the daughter of well-known pharmaceutical moguls.

  • Karachi walo, aa raha hai garmi ka tor; Monsoon about to enter Sindh

    Karachi walo, aa raha hai garmi ka tor; Monsoon about to enter Sindh

    Monsoon winds are likely to enter Sindh from tonight bringing relief to the heat-afflicted southern province, reports Geo News.

    The weather is likely to remain hot and humid in most places of Sindh on Saturday, while a drizzle is expected in some places in coastal areas today, according to the Meteorological Department

    Monsoon winds will bring rain with thunder in Tharparkar, Umarkot and Mirpurkhas during July 7-8.

    Karachi and Sajawal are likely to experience thundershowers on July 8 and 9.

  • Pre-monsoon rain on the way to Pakistan

    Pre-monsoon rain on the way to Pakistan

    The Meteorological Department has predicted the advent of pre-monsoon rains in the country.

    Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz has said that pre-monsoon rains will likely begin after June 19. He warned that more than normal rainfall is expected this year.

    As for the chances of rain on Eid, the chief metreologist said that there is no possibility of rain in the plains on the religious holiday.

    Today’s forecast

    Weather will remain hot and dry in most parts of the country today.

    On Monday, the highest temperature in the country was recorded in Bhakkar at 47 degrees Celsius.

    Sibbi 46, Mohanjo Daro, Gujranwala, Khairpur and Sukkur 45, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Dera Ismail Khan recorded 43 degrees Celsius.

    Lahore, Faisalabad, and Peshawar recorded 42 C, Islamabad 41, Muzaffarabad 40, Karachi and Thatta 36, ​​Quetta 35, and Gilgit recorded 33 degrees Celsius.

    Karachi is likely to go up to 35 to 37 degrees Celsius.

    Humidity in the morning remains at 72 percent, and winds blow from the west and southwest.

  • Will your city get monsoon rain in the next four days?

    According to the Met Department, monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea are likely to penetrate the upper parts of the country from Tuesday night, whereas a westerly wave is also likely to enter these areas today.

    Under the influence of these systems, rain and wind-thunderstorms are expected in different parts of Kashmir, including Neelum, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur.

    A warning has also been issued for different parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Kohat, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi and Nowshera from August 23 to 27 with occasional gaps.

    Rain and thunder showers are also expected in Kurram, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Karak, Waziristan, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabod, Toba To Singh, Jhang and Bhakkar from 24th to 26th August. While in Dera Ghaz Khan, Ramrour, Musa Khel, Barkhan, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar on 25th and 26th August.

    The warning stated that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to increase the water flows in local nullahs/streams of Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, Galliyat, Murree, Rawalpindi/Islamabad from August 23 to 25.

    Moreover, moderate to heavy rains may cause urban flooding in the low-lying areas of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Peshawar, and Lahore as well as may trigger landslides in the vulnerable areas of Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the wet spell.

  • Another monsoon spell to hit Punjab from Sunday

    As many districts in Punjab deal with intense heat, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has predicted rainfall in the coming days.

    As stated by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the weather will remain hot and humid across the majority of Punjab. Nevertheless, the province is anticipated to experience monsoon rains from August 13 to 16.

    Substantial rainfall is forecasted for Sialkot, Narowal, Shakargarh, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Mandi Bahauddin. Additionally, there’s likelihood of rain accompanied by thunderstorms in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Murree, and Galliat.

    The PDMA has affirmed that water levels in the Chenab, Ravi, Jhelum, and Sutlej rivers are within normal range, while Taunsa along the Indus River is experiencing minor floods. Tarbela and Mangala dams are currently at 95 percent of their capacity.

    Simultaneously, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted hot and humid conditions across most parts of the country in the next 24 hours. However, there’s an expectation of rain, wind, or thundershowers in northeastern Punjab, the Potohar region, Islamabad, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Kashmir. In the central and southern parts of the country, there are chances of strong winds capable of raising dust.

  • Pakistan Meteorological Department issues countrywide monsoon warning

    Pakistan Meteorological Department issues countrywide monsoon warning

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has on Sunday issued a countrywide advisory of heavy monsoon rain, warning that from Monday night onwards there could be hailstorms resulting in urban flooding, as reported by Dawn. 

    PMD said that moist currents from the Arabian Sea are expected to enter the upper parts of Pakistan while a wave from the west is likely to enter the region. The weather system is expected to last till July 8, with district administrations being cautioned to remain alert in order to avoid flood-like situations.

    Rain, thunderstorms, and scattered hailstorms are expected in Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Kurram, Bannu, Lakki, Marwat, Kohat, Mianwali, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Narowal, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Jhang and Toba Tek Singh from July 3 – July 8. 

    Rain/wind-thundershower with isolated heavy falls expected in Barkhan, Loralai, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Kalat, Khuzdar, Zhob, Lasbella, Awaran, Musakhel, D.I Khan, Bannu, Karak, Waziristan, D.G. Khan, Rajanpur, Multan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Adu, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Sahiwal and Okara from July 5- July 8.  

    Rain/wind-thundershower with isolated heavy falls expected in Sukkur, Jacobabad Ghotki, Shaheed Benazirabad, Larkana, Mithi, Chhor, Padidan, Nagarparkar, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Sanghar, Mirpur Khas, Dadu, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad and Karachi on July 7 and the next day. 

    From July 4- July 7, low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala and Lahore are at risk of urban flooding caused by heavy rain. The downpour may also trigger landslides in vulnerable areas of Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

    From July 6-July 8, heavy rainfall may cause flash floods in the hill torrent areas of D.G. Khan and adjoining areas of northeast Baluchistan.

    Farmers and tourists have been cautioned to plan their activities keeping in mind the weather forecast. 

    The public has also been cautioned to avoid areas with loose structures during the heavy spells of rain, such as electric poles, solar panels, etc.

  • VIDEO: DHA Karachi under fire as residents storm Cantt Board office to protest lack of monsoon infrastructure

    Residents of Karachi’s upscale Defence Housing Authority (DHA) on Monday gathered within the premises of Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) to protest against the lack of monsoon infrastructure and the administration’s failure to provide them basic amenities.

    The protests followed the destruction wreaked by torrential rains that drowned the country’s business hub last week as both federal and provincial authorities failed to avoid blame games for the sake of people of the port city.

    Amid suspension of cellular services due to prolonged power outages and flooding across Karachi, the overall death toll during the three-day spell of torrential rains in the city rose to 40 by Sunday.

    While Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has announced that both the centre and Sindh will be working together to bring much-needed relief to the people of Karachi, the masses still aren’t very happy over the authorities’ failure to provide them what they say are basic rights against the taxes they pay and contributions the city makes to the country’s economy.

    “We wish to register our legitimate right to get the supply of basic amenities of potable water, stable electricity, effective discharge and flow of drains and sewerage, elimination of hanging electricity wires & data cables, fixing of broken poles, providing of security [as well as] repair and re-carpeting of broken roads,” read a statement by the residents of DHA Karachi ahead of Monday’s protest.

    A second protest for later this week has also been announced by the aggrieved residents to take up their demands with DHA outside the Phase-I office on September 3 at 12:30 pm.

    The list of 22 demands put forward by the residents of DHA include the return of tax money taken from them as development charges, that contractors and decision-makers be held accountable for constructing “useless” storm-water drains, an audit report of the DHA be made public so that it could be known how the taxpayers’ money was spent, and the authority removes charges and fees on every kind of activity, approval and transaction inside the residents’ own homes.

    The complete list of demands is as follows:

    • Return the taxes taken from Residents in the form of Development Charges for storm-water drains project worth billions which failed completely.
    • Accountability of the contractors and decision-makers for these useless storm-water Drains.
    • Immediate removal of these cement slabs in the middle of the roads with holes in them.
    • Removal of “charges” and “fees” on every kind of activity, approval and transaction inside our own homes.
    • Installation of sewage treatment plant immediately.
    • Stop the pollution from 150 million gallons of untreated effluent from DHA to be dumped directly into the sea.
    • Sharing of 10 years audit report so residents know how their tax money is being spent.
    • Stop reclaiming land from the sea for more housing without an infrastructure plan. This will increase further drainage/ sanitation problems.
    • Stop renting out empty plots for keeping animals.
    • A separate area for the same demand regarding animals.
    • Designated Slaughterhouses.
    • New international standards drainage system to be installed immediately.
    • Immediate repair of broken sewerage lines and roads.
    • Hanging cables and telephone wires to go underground immediately.
    • All electricity poles to be earthed and every pole be issued safety certificate by DHA. Saving lives is a joint responsibility. All lives matter.
    • KESC statements to be taken seriously by DHA. “Non-KE wires on power distribution infrastructure, such as streetlights or TV, telephone or internet cables, are a major safety hazard, as they damage KE’s infrastructure and bypass safety protection mechanisms.”
    • Beggars removed from every street signal.
    • All empty plots to be garbage-free (empty plots are the responsibility of DHA).
    • No more paying for water. Remove the Tanker Mafia immediately. If hydrants can have unlimited water supply why can’t our houses?
    • No construction on our beaches. Spend our money on our drainage system.
    • Make a proper system of debris removal and construction material spillover on our roads.
    • All craters inroads due to rains to be attended immediately so as not to lead to more loss of life 22. Roads dug up for various utilities and left uncarpeted to warrant heavy fines to the contractors.
    • Stop bringing in officials from around the country to head key positions in DHA and CBC. Locals of the city to be appointed only.

    Earlier, most parts of DHA remained without power for more than two days, leading to angry protesters gathering at Do Talwar on Saturday night and chanting slogans against the DHA and other authorities for the poor infrastructure exposed by the rain and incessant power outages triggered by the heavy showers.

    By the time this report was filed, protesters at CBC had refused to leave the premises until the board’s chief executive officer (CEO) arrived.

  • Karachi: Resilient no more

    Karachi: Resilient no more

    A city once known as the ‘city of lights’ has now been without electricity for almost three days and counting.

    Karachi resembles a dump now with dilapidated roads, virtually no sewerage system, no government public transport, buildings on top of each other without following any safety laws, no emergency response system, nothing. Recent visuals on our television screens, social media and WhatsApp following the monsoon rains in Karachi are horrendous. Cars floating around, houses drowning in sewerage water and rainwater, people being electrocuted, no electricity, no food, no relief in sight. A wheelchair-bound woman drowned in her house due to the mismanagement of those in power, someone who had a heart attack could not reach the hospital in time due to flooding…each story is worse than the other. More than 80 people have so far lost their lives.

    The ‘resilience’ of the people of Karachi has been taken for granted but Karachi has had enough!

    The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has been in power in Sindh for the last 12 years. In those 12 years, we have not seen the provincial government take any responsibility whatsoever for the woes of the provincial capital. Blaming the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) because it ruled Karachi for almost a decade before the PPP government came to power can only be done so much. If the Opposition parties tell the ruling PTI to stop blaming past governments and focus on their own performance, then the same rule should apply in Sindh. The MQM may not have done as much as it should have back then but it is no excuse for a government that has been ruling the Sindh province for over a decade now.

    It will also not paper over the fact that the local bodies system is so weak that no city government can be blamed for anything catastrophic. If the PPP wants to shift the blame, it should have had a fully empowered local bodies system in place. When a government does not want to devolve power and then not do anything itself, then who is to blame? Climate change may be another reality but it is not something that has come out of the blue. Where is the emergency relief system to work in times of natural disasters? If it were not for the Edhi foundation and Chhipa and other private organisations, the city of Karachi would have been an orphan city. Private citizens are helping each other out rather than the government. Where is the empathy of the rulers? Some of the tweets by provincial ministers are full of apathy towards the people of Karachi; clearing a few roads of rainwater do not make the problems of Karachi go away.

    Now that a committee has been formed with all stakeholders to address the issues plaguing the largest city of Pakistan, it is hoped that regardless of their political affiliations, all stakeholders would work towards reaching a solution and not play politics at the cost of innocent lives. The people of Karachi have witnessed ethnic warfare, sectarian killings, mafias, crime and much worse. They deserve a break now. The Sindh government and all other stakeholders need to work together in order to bring some semblance of normalcy back to a city that is the heart of Pakistan. 

  • Karachiites lash out at K-electric for power outage, KE responds

    Karachiites lash out at K-electric for power outage, KE responds

    As this year’s spell of monsoon rains wreaks havoc in Karachi, flooded roads and houses, clogged drains and power outages have been disrupting Karachiites’ routine for the past few days.

    Amid all this, the city’s residents found themselves in added misery as there is also hours-long power outages. Most of them have taken to Twitter to share the current situation of the city and express their outrage over the situation. K-electric has said that “power will be restored as soon as it is safe to do”.

    Actor Ushna Shah also tweeted: “Excuses excuses guys. No flooding in Phase 6 and no power since almost 20 hours now.” She added that DM (direct message) is also of no use.

    Other Twitter users had similar woes.

    https://twitter.com/cobrachandio/status/1299164438457540610?s=20

    Later, K-Electric said that “several areas remain inaccessible due to high water level” and that “power will continue to remain closed until all standing water is cleared”.