14 Dead After Deadly Storms Sweeps Across Pakistan
Israa Farhan
At least 14 people have died and over 100 others were injured after powerful storms battered central and northern Pakistan, officials confirmed on Sunday.
The severe weather came in the wake of an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring past 45 degrees Celsius in recent days.
Strong winds, lightning, and thunderstorms hit the eastern province of Punjab, the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the capital city Islamabad on Saturday afternoon and evening.
The storms uprooted trees, downed power lines, and caused widespread damage across the affected regions.
Mazhar Hussain, spokesperson for the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority,
stated
that these destructive weather patterns were triggered by the recent spike in extreme heat.
He explained that the latest heatwave had led to dangerously high temperatures for several consecutive days, which played a major role in fueling the violent storms. In Punjab alone, 14 fatalities and around 100 injuries were reported as a result of the weather.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department warned that more storms were expected on Sunday, raising concerns about further damage and disruption.
read more
Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685
NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria
Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO
Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided
News
Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks
News
Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank
News
Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region
News
One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid
News
Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers
News
Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia
News
Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content
Arts & Culture
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized
Sports
Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer
Sports
Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
News
Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies
Arts & Culture
New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
Business
Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War
Arts & Culture
Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
4 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt to See Extreme Heat on Sunday: Cairo at 36°C
H-Tayea The Egyptian Meteorological Authority has issued the weather forecast for Sunday, expecting extremely hot conditions across most parts of the country during the daytime. Coastal areas will experience relatively warm weather, while temperatures will become moderate at night and in the early morning hours. Here are the expected highs and lows for major cities: Cairo: High of 36°C, Low of 22°C Alexandria: High of 28°C, Low of 20°C Marsa Matrouh: High of 26°C, Low of 19°C Sohag: High of 40°C, Low of 22°C Qena: High of 42°C, Low of 25°C Aswan: High of 44°C, Low of 26°C read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
See - Sada Elbalad
2 days ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Hot Weather Expected for Egypt on Friday, Cairo 35°C
Yara Sameh The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) predicts hot to extremely weather to prevail in most of the country during Friday's daylight hours. Moderately warm weather is also expected to hit the North Coast. The country will also witness mist on agricultural and highway roads in Cairo, the North Coast, and North Upper Egypt. Wind will occur occasionally across the country. Meteorologist also predicts that Egypt to experience a temperature rise. There will also be a disruption of maritime navigation in the Gulf of Suez with wind speed reaching 50 to 60 km/hr and wave height ranging from 2.5 to 3 meters. Furthermore, the Mediterranean Sea will experience low to moderate waves, ranging between 1 and 1.5 meters in height, with northwest surface winds. The Red Sea will experience moderate waves, ranging between 1.5 and 2 meters in height, with northwest surface winds. Moderately warm weather is also expected to prevail in Egypt at nighttime. The predicted temperatures for the following cities are 35°C in Cairo, 28°C in Alexandria, 25°C in Marsa Matruh, 39°C in Sohag, 40°C in Qena, and 42°C in Aswan. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 days ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Muslim pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat in hajj apex - Region
Muslim pilgrims prayed atop Mount Arafat on Thursday during the high point of the annual hajj pilgrimage, as Saudi officials called on participants to refrain from being outside during the hottest hours of the day. Thousands of pilgrims began to gather before dawn around the hill and the surrounding plain where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his last sermon. While some arrived early to take advantage of the relatively cool morning, carrying colourful umbrellas, many pilgrims will remain for hours of prayers and Koran recitals until the evening in the most arduous portion of the hajj. After sunset they will head to Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafat and the sprawling tent city of Mina, where they will gather pebbles so they can perform the symbolic "stoning of the devil". "This is something that I used to see every year on the TV screen during hajj and I always thought: 'I wish I could be here'," said 33-year-old Ali from Pakistan, one of 1.5 million pilgrims who had arrived in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage. "I've been trying to get here... for the past 3 years," he added as he gazed at the mount. "I feel very blessed." Hundreds of pilgrims dressed in white dotted the mount itself, with many more at its foot praying or taking pictures. Earlier this week, Saudi authorities called on pilgrims to stay inside their tents between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm on Thursday, when the desert sun is at its harshest. Fans spraying mist and providing cool air were dispersed at the foot of the mount. Temperatures this year have already exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) as one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, bringing together devotees from around the globe, kicked off earlier this week Officials have beefed up heat mitigation efforts aiming to avoid a repeat of last year's hajj, which saw 1,301 pilgrims die as temperatures reached 51.8C. "I came here early to (avoid) the sun and later I will pray inside my tent," said 54-year-old Adel Ismail, from Syria. To make this year's pilgrimage safer, authorities have expanded infrastructure, deployed thousands of extra personnel and relied on an arsenal of high-tech tools to help better manage crowds. Authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials, doubling their efforts against heat-related illness following the lethal heatwave of 2024. Shaded areas have been expanded by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands more medics will be on standby, and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, the hajj minister has told AFP. Through tears of joy, Iman Abdel Khaleq said she had wanted to perform the hajj for 10 years and was overwhelmed with emotion as she arrived at Arafat. "It's a big dream for me that I had almost given hope up of realising," the woman in her fifties told AFP from the foot of the mount. Authorities said a majority of the deaths in 2024 were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to amenities like air-conditioned tents and buses. This year, they have also cracked down on unregistered pilgrims looking to sneak into Mecca, relying on frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts. Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota basis and distributed to individuals by a lottery. But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs prompt many to attempt the hajj without a permit, even though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars a year from the hajj, and the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
