[🇵🇰] Pakistan Flood Situation - Updates

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Source : https://www.dawn.com/news/1827754/caught-unawares

[h2]Pakistan has once again been caught off-guard by devastating impact of intense rain[/h2]The government must prioritise the upgrading of infrastructure to withstand extreme weather.

PAKISTAN has once again been caught off-guard by the devastating impact of unseasonal and intense rains across its provinces, with dozens of lives lost and considerable infrastructural damage. Such natural anomalies are reflective of climate change, as rightly pointed out by PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. The damage wrought by the rains, while not the annual monsoons, is symptomatic of preparedness that is perennially lacking. What is required is not just a reactive approach but proactive strategies to mitigate the impact of such disasters.

The government must prioritise the upgrading of infrastructure to withstand extreme weather. This includes reinforcing buildings, securing electrical and gas supply systems against outages, and enhancing the capacity of dams and drainage systems to manage excess water. For regions like Balochistan and KP, where fragile structures are prevalent, introducing and enforcing stringent building codes is crucial.

Furthermore, there is a dire need for flood-risk management plans that are regularly updated and rigorously implemented. These should include community-based early warning systems and evacuation plans that are well understood by the public. The efficacy of these measures depends significantly on awareness campaigns that educate people about what to do during floods and storms. Moreover, environmental degradation exacerbates the impact of heavy rains. We must not only maintain but expand our forest cover and manage watersheds and riverbanks with sustainable practices to reduce the speed and impact of run-off.

These adjustments must be complemented by a broader commitment to addressing climate change. Pakistan must advocate for stronger international cooperation on climate issues, and seek technological and financial support to execute adaptation strategies. Research institutions must be mobilised to study the impacts of climate change specific to Pakistan, and develop solutions that can be implemented at the local level.

All this requires substantial government funding and the integration of climate change into all aspects of public policy planning. Our leadership at all levels needs to be geared towards protecting citizens from the impending and ongoing impacts of climate change. This means a shift from superficial discussions to actionable policies.

Preparing for monsoon seasons or extreme weather events — like the catastrophic floods of 2022 — should not just be about managing the crisis but preventing the worst of its impacts. The time for mulling is long past. It is now time to act.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2024

 

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[H1]Lightning, downpours kill 41 people across Pakistan[/H1]

AFP
April 15, 2024

Heavy machinery deployed to level the ground after damage due to floodwaters following heavy rains on the outskirts of Quetta on April 15, 2024. Photo: AFP

LAHORE: At least 41 people have died in storm-related incidents across Pakistan since Friday, including 28 killed by lightning, officials said on Monday.

Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of landslides and flash floods because more rain is expected in coming days.

Punjab, Pakistan's largest and most populous province, witnessed the highest death toll, with 21 people killed by lightning between Friday and Sunday.

Heavy rain forecasts: civic bodies asked to pull their socks up

"I have asked the NDMA to coordinate with the provinces … and for the NDMA to provide relief goods to areas where damages occurred," Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday.

People living in open, rural areas are more at risk of being struck by lightning during thunderstorms.

At least eight people were killed in Balochistan province, including seven struck by lightning, where 25 districts were battered by rain and some areas were flooded.

Karachi could be hit by thunderstorm on Wednesday: PMD

Schools in the province were ordered shut on Monday and Tuesday, delaying the return of students after Eid ul-Fitr holidays at the end of the holy fasting month of Ramazan.

Four people were killed in road accidents linked to flooded roads in southern Sindh province.

Another eight people were killed in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including four children, when houses collapsed in the heavy downpours.

Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, speaking to local media, blamed climate change for the surge in lightning incidents.

Pakistan is increasingly vulnerable to unpredictable weather patterns, as well as often destructive monsoon rains that usually arrive in July.

 

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[H2]Rain continues to batter Balochistan with Sindh next in its path[/H2]
Imtiaz Ali | Abdullah Zehri
April 17, 2024

Torrential rainfall continued to wreak havoc in Balochistan on Wednesday. — DawnNewsTV
As torrential rainfall continued to wreak havoc in Balochistan on Wednesday, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted downpours in parts of Sindh — including Karachi — as well for the next three days.

Continuous rains accompanied by thunderstorms have lashed several parts of the country over the past few days, with landslides and floods reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Ten more people, including nine children, were killed on Tuesday in various parts of KP in the aftermath of the torrential rains as the provincial government imposed an emergency in 13 districts for the provision of relief and restoration of damaged communication networks and water supply.

In a weather outlook issued today, the PMD forecast thunderstorms and rainfall in the Karachi division and other parts of Sindh from today (Wednesday) till April 19.

It further said a "westerly wave" was affecting Balochistan, which has been reeling from floods following a three-day spell of torrential rainfall.

According to Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind, relevant departments have been instructed to take safety measures to deal with the "extraordinary situation" created by the rains.

"Balochistan Chief Minister [Sarfraz Bugti] has directed various commissioners and deputy commissioners (DCs) to monitor the situation," Rind said.

 

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[H2]Rain continues to batter Balochistan with Sindh next in its path[/H2]
Imtiaz Ali | Abdullah Zehri
April 17, 2024

As torrential rainfall continued to wreak havoc in Balochistan on Wednesday, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted downpours in parts of Sindh — including Karachi — as well for the next three days.

Continuous rains accompanied by thunderstorms have lashed several parts of the country over the past few days, with landslides and floods reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Ten more people, including nine children, were killed on Tuesday in various parts of KP in the aftermath of the torrential rains as the provincial government imposed an emergency in 13 districts for the provision of relief and restoration of damaged communication networks and water supply.

In a weather outlook issued today, the PMD forecast thunderstorms and rainfall in the Karachi division and other parts of Sindh from today (Wednesday) till April 19.
It further said a "westerly wave" was affecting Balochistan, which has been reeling from floods following a three-day spell of torrential rainfall.

According to Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind, relevant departments have been instructed to take safety measures.

"Balochistan Chief Minister [Sarfraz Bugti] has directed various commissioners and deputy commissioners (DCs) to monitor the situation," Rind said.

District DC Jumma Dad Mandokhail said levies and PDMA teams rescued residents of Pishin's Hamidabad, where around 15 houses had collapsed owing to heavy rainfall.

Floodwater was being diverted to the Khushdil Khan Dam and Manzaki drain, the DC said, noting that this would keep Hamidabad, Dab and adjacent areas safe as well as replenish the dam's supply. He added that 80 per cent of the task has been completed.

 

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[H2]Karachi sees light rain as Pakistan braces for more showers[/H2]
Imtiaz Ali | Dawn.com
April 18, 2024

Karachi receives light rain on Thursday morning. — DawnNewsTV
Parts of Karachi received only light rain on Thursday morning while the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast heavy downpours across the country over the next few days.

On Wednesday, the Met Office had forecast moderate showers in several districts in Sindh, including Karachi. The weather had remained dry in most parts of the province. However, Sukkur, Rohri, Larkana and Jacobabad districts received traces of rainfall, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan.

As per the latest weather conditions, Karachi was expected to receive only light rain/showers, Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz said on Thursday.

According to a rainfall report issued this morning, Keamari, North Karachi and Airport Old Area received "traces" of rainfall while other parts of the city hardly saw any showers by 8am.

Meanwhile, one millimetre of rain was reported in Larkana district and traces in Mohenjo Daro by 8am. Other districts of Sindh did not receive notable rainfall.

In a three-day weather forecast issued today, the PMD said "thunderstorm/rain of light to moderate intensity" were likely on Thursday in Jamshoro, Dadu, Naushahro Feroze, Sanghar, Hyderabad, Mitiari, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Kambar Shahdadkot, Larkana, Khairpur, Sukkur and Ghotki districts, as well as Karachi division.

In Karachi, the weather was expected to remain "mainly cloudy with chances [of] light rain/drizzle" today while "fair/partly cloudy" conditions were likely tomorrow (Friday) and on Saturday.

Temperatures were to remain between 30-32 degrees Celsius today and tomorrow in the metropolis, reaching 34°C on Saturday. The minimum temperature was to drop to 26.5°C today and remain between 24-27°C on the next days, the forecast stated.

 

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[H2]15 killed in Chaman, AJK as rain continues to wreak havoc[/H2]
Saleem Shahid
April 19, 2024

GWADAR: Fishermen gather under a broken structure on the shore along a badly damaged road, as boats are stacked near the jetty following heavy rainfall in Balochistan, on Thursday.—AFP

QUETTA: Seven more people have been killed in accidents in Balochistan as heavy rains continue to inflict damages across the province.

So far, 17 people have died and 15 injured due to roof collapses, lightning strikes and other mishaps since heavy rain and thunderstorms started last week.

Separately, eight people were killed in two accidents as rainfall continued in several areas of Azad Kashmir.

The seven new deaths in Balochistan were reported from the border town of Chaman on Thursday.

According to Chaman Deputy Commissioner Athar Abbas Raja, the victims, including four women and two children, were travelling in a car which was swept away by a flash flood.

Family washed away in Balochistan border town; dozens stranded by urban flooding

A large number of mud houses have also been swept away by flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall on surrounding mountains, Mr Abbas told Dawn over the phone.

He said gushing water has also badly damaged roads, cutting Chaman off from other areas of Balochistan and suspending transit trade with Afghanistan.
A railway track was also affected, suspending the train service between Quetta and Chaman. Damage to another track at the Spintangi area in the Sibi-Harnai section has also suspended rail service between Sibi and Harnai.

The northeastern district of Harnai, which has been receiving heavy rain with thunderstorms for the last many days, has been cut off from Quetta and other areas as link roads were washed away by flash floods.

The link of Makran division with Karachi was also cut off after a bridge on the coastal highway between Ormara and Basool collapsed.

A small dam in Chaman burst as it received excessive rainwater during a downpour which started early Thursday morning and lasted for several hours.
Officials said that Pado Dam on the outskirts of border town was washed away, causing massive destruction in old and new Chaman.

The water entered human settlements and damaged houses, forcing the residents to flee to take refuge at safer places.

Flash floods also swept away eight cars parked in a showroom at Chaman Bypass, a senior official of Levies force said.

He added that life had been virtually suspended in Chaman as all roads were inundated due to urban flooding.

Roghani Road, Killi Roozudin, Killi Salehzai and other areas were badly affected with dozens of houses damaged.

Officials said personnel of Frontier Corps, Levies and local administration had launched rescue operations in the affected areas and were shifting stranded families.

Similar destruction of houses and roads was also reported in other areas as heavy rains continued in Ormara, Pasni, Jewani, Ziarat, Loralai, Musakhail, Barkhan, Dera Bugti, Kohlu, Sibi, Bolan, Noshki, Dalbandin, Washuk, Panjgur and areas bordering Iran and Afghanistan.

 

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[H2]More flash floods in Chaman as rainfall continues[/H2]
Saleem Shahid
April 20, 2024

• Highway connecting border town with Quetta still closed for traffic
• Met Office predicts more downpour

QUETTA: The road link to many areas of Balochistan couldn't be restored till Friday as rains and thunderstorms continued in different areas of northern and southern Balochistan during the last 24 hours.

The border district of Chaman continued to witness disaster as flash floods entered the town from Khozak and other mountain ranges.

The deluge also damaged the Quetta-Chaman highway, cutting off traffic between the two cities.

Trucks carrying Afghan Transit Trade goods were stuck near Qila Abdullah and Chaman, and they are waiting for the road to be cleared.

Officials in Chaman said Levies and other forces had reached the people stranded in hilly areas and "are making all-out efforts" to restore traffic on the highway.

They added that the bodies of a woman and a child were recovered from a seasonal stream.

They died after the vehicle they were travelling in was swept away in flash floods as the driver tried to cross a gushing seasonal stream.

"The bodies were handed over to the family," the official added.

The provincial capital, Quetta, didn't receive any rainfall during the last 12 hours , but overnight heavy rain damaged mud houses on the city's outskirts.

Water was yet to be drained from some areas of the city as drains failed to evacuate the water due to blockages.

Some parts of the Makran region were still cut off from Karachi as a key bridge in the Basool area of Ormara, on the Makran Coastal Highway, had been washed away by flash floods.

All traffic has been suspended as an alternative route was yet to be constructed.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said a team headed by its chairman, Aurangzeb Khan, visited Daak and Mal in Noshki district, which were badly affected by the downpour.

Hundreds of people who were rendered homeless during the inclement weather were given tents, food and drinking water, the PDMA said.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Centre of Balochistan has advised the authorities to remain vigilant during the next 48 hours.

It has forecast more rain with thunderstorm in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Saifullah, Chaman, Qila Abdullah, Mastung, Sherani, Zhob, Musakhail Barkhan, Khuzdar, Kalat, Noshki, Sibi, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Loralai and Harnai in next 24 hours.

During the last 24 hours, the weather remained cloudy and it rained in most parts of the province.

The highest rainfall was recorded in Samungli at 25mm, Kalat 23mm, Dalbandin 21mm, Barkhan 16mm, Zhob13 mm and Panjgur 5mm.

More than 20 people have died and 15 injured due to roof collapses, lightning strikes and other mishaps since heavy rain and thunderstorms started in the province last week.

The situation is grim in Chaman, where a large number of mud houses were swept away by flash floods on Thursday triggered by heavy rainfall on surrounding mountains, Deputy Commissioner Atha Abbas Raja had told Dawn over the phone.

He said gushing water has also badly damaged roads, cutting Chaman off from other areas of Balochistan and suspending transit trade with Afghanistan.

 

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