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Arab News
a day ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan's Punjab issues fresh rain alert after 21 killed by storms last month
ISLAMABAD: The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Monday issued a fresh alert about rains and strong, dusty winds in the province from June 2 till June 5, days after thunderstorms killed nearly two dozen people in Pakistan's most populous province. Thunderstorms killed at least 21 people and injured more than 100 others in Punjab as moist currents penetrated upper parts of Pakistan late last month, according to national and provincial disaster management authorities. More rains and gusty winds are expected in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiat, Attock, Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Narowal, Okara, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar districts. 'Citizens should stay in safe places to protect themselves from lightning. The public should never go out under the open sky during thunderstorms and storms,' the PDMA quoted its Director-General Irfan Ali Kathia as saying. Due to possible rains, it said, the intensity of heat will decrease during the three-day Eid Al-Adha festival, which begins on Saturday. Kathia said the PDMA has alerted the district administrations as well as health, irrigation, construction and communications, local government and livestock departments. Pakistan has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns which have led to frequent heat waves, untimely rains, storms, cyclones and droughts in recent years. Scientists have blamed the events on human-driven climate change. Thunderstorms last month also claimed more than 10 lives, while 30 others sustained injuries in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan's northwest, according to provincial authorities. In 2022, devastating floods, blamed on human-driven climate change, killed more than 1,700 Pakistanis, affected another 33 million and caused the country over $30 billion in economic losses.
Arab News
5 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Heavy rains, thunderstorms claim more than 25 lives in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Heavy rains and thunderstorms have killed eight people in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, authorities said on Friday, taking the nationwide death from rain-related incidents to at least 26. Moist currents have penetrated Pakistan over the past one week and under the influence of this weather system, isolated heavy rains and hail and thunderstorms have lashed several areas in upper and central parts of the country. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said fresh downpours, which began on May 27, have damaged 25 homes in Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, Shangla, Swat, Torghar, Mohmand, Mansehra and Haripur, killing eight and injuring 21 people. 'Among the deceased are five men, two women, and a child,' the PDMA said in a statement. 'The injured include ten men, five women and six children.' Earlier this week, Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority chief Irfan Ali Kathia confirmed heavy rains had killed 18 people and injured 110 people in the eastern province. Pakistan has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns which have led to frequent heat waves, untimely rains, storms, cyclones and droughts in recent years. Scientists have blamed the events on human-driven climate change. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast that the current spell of rains will continue till May 31. 'PDMA has instructed local administrations to provide immediate support to affected families and ensure that the injured receive proper medical care,' the KP authority said. 'Citizens are urged to report any emergencies by calling 1700.' In 2022, devastating floods, blamed on human-driven climate change, killed more than 1,700 Pakistanis, affected another 33 million and caused the country over $30 billion in economic losses.
Express Tribune
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Heatwave forces early summer vacations
An ongoing heatwave in Punjab has forced the provincial government to reduce school hours and announce early summer holidays from May 28. The school timings till the beginning of the holidays will be from 7:30am to 11:30am. According to a notification, the Punjab School Education Department announced on Tuesday that the educational institutions would be closed for summer holidays from May 28 instead of June 1 as announced earlier. The schools across the province will reopen after the holidays on August 15. The Punjab Higher Education Department also announced that the summer vacations in colleges and universities would begin on May 28. A spokesperson for the Pakistan Meteorological Department said the prevailing heatwave was likely to continue during the ongoing week. The maximum temperature in Lahore on Tuesday was recorded as 42 degree Celsius. The spokesman said a high pressure is likely to persist in upper atmosphere during the current week. Under the influence of this meteorological condition, day temperatures were likely to remain four to 6°C above normal in South Punjab till May 24. The day temperatures in central and upper Punjab are likely to remain up to 7°C above normal during the period. Dust storms and gusty winds are expected at isolated places in the plain areas due to excessive heat during the period. Due to the heatwave, the residents, especially children, women and senior citizens have been advised to take precautionary measures, avoid direct exposure to sunlight during the day time and remain hydrated. Farmers were advised to manage their crop activities while keeping in view the weather conditions and take care of their livestock as well. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) also issued an alert regarding temperature rise and heatwave. Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed issued instructions to the commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province to remain alert. He stated that the departments concerned, including the district administrations, should be on alert in view of the heatwave. The alert has been also been issued to the departments of school education, health, transport, local government and Rescue 1122, sharing concerns regarding the temperature rise and heatwave in major cities and plains of Punjab till May 24. There is a possibility of an unusual increase in temperature in the next few days. Due to the heatwave, there are also chances of strong winds and thunderstorms in some places in the plains. PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said that an alert has been issued to the district administrations to ensure the supply of clean water in public places. The provision of first aid for heatstroke should be ensured in hospitals and mobile health units, he said. With additional input from APP
Express Tribune
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Severe heatwave alert issued for Punjab amid rising temperatures
Listen to article The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a heatwave alert for Punjab from May 15 to May 19, as the province braces for an intense spell of hot weather. According to the PDMA, temperatures are expected to rise significantly, potentially exceeding normal levels by 4 to 7 degrees Celsius, posing serious health risks to the public. The Pakistan Meteorological Department reports that continental winds are currently dominating most parts of the country, resulting in hot and dry weather conditions. On Wednesday, high temperatures are expected to persist across the plains, with southern Punjab experiencing the most severe heat. Major cities such as Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Faisalabad are forecast to record temperatures between 41°C and 42°C. The PDMA has warned that these prevailing conditions may intensify the heatwave, particularly impacting urban and lowland regions. The alert further states that the extreme heat is likely to continue across much of Punjab until May 20. However, a westerly weather system is expected to enter the province by the evening of May 19, potentially bringing temporary relief in the form of lower temperatures and isolated rainfall. PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia has directed all commissioners, deputy commissioners, and district administrations to remain on high alert and ensure emergency preparedness. Relevant departments—including School Education, Health, Transport, Local Government, and Rescue 1122—have also been instructed to implement immediate precautionary measures to safeguard the public. Citizens are advised to avoid unnecessary exposure to sunlight, wear light and loose-fitting clothing, cover their heads when outdoors, and stay well-hydrated. Authorities have also been directed to ensure the availability of clean drinking water at public places and to equip hospitals and mobile health units to provide timely first aid in heat-related emergencies.
Business Recorder
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Cabinet body reviews law, order situation: Hospitals, civil defence institutions directed to remain alert
LAHORE: On the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, directions have been issued to hospitals, civil defence and other institutions to remain alert. An important meeting was held at PDMA Head Office under the chairmanship of Provincial Minister for Health and Chairman Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management Khawaja Salman Rafique. The meeting was attended by Director General PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia and other officers. In view of the current situation in the country, the meeting reviewed the preventive measures. Khawaja Salman Rafique also visited the PDMA Control Room. The Director General PDMA briefed Khawaja Salman Rafique about the latest water situation in the rivers. The meeting strongly condemned Indian aggression. Provincial Health Minister and Chairman Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management Khawaja Salman Rafique said 'Pakistan has the full right to defend itself and any kind of Indian aggression will be given a befitting reply.' The staff in the district emergency control rooms was present and alert round the clock. Salman Rafique said Pakistani armed forces have once again raised the nation's head with pride by giving a befitting reply to India. The Pakistani armed forces and the brave people are fully prepared to confront the enemy. The professionalism of the Pakistan Air Force has crushed India's pride. Director General PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia said the flow of water in the rivers of Punjab is normal. PDMA is monitoring the situation of Punjab Rivers 24 hours a day. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
