Latest news with #ProvincialDisasterManagementAuthority
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Tirah, Khyber incident: KP Cabinet approves special compensation for victims
PESHAWAR: Under the PDMA Civilian Victims Compensation Regulations 2019, the provincial cabinet of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has approved a special compensation of Rs10 million for each deceased person and Rs2.5 million for each injured person, to be given to the legal heirs and the injured from the Tirah, Khyber incident. The cabinet also approved the establishment of a Temporary Displaced Persons (TDPs) camp in the Bajaur Sports Complex and also sanctioned immediate funds for the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). According to details, the 36th meeting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur. Cabinet members, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Senior Member Board of Revenue, and Administrative Secretaries attended the meeting. Among the key decisions, the cabinet approved the creation of 36 new posts of field assistant in BPS-9 for the Directorate General Agriculture Extension, a move aimed at strengthening agricultural support services across the province. Cabinet gave its consent for the purchase of land for the Institute of Management Sciences (IM Sciences), a step that will facilitate the expansion and growth of the institution. It also approved creation of new posts in the Directorate of Works & Implementation of the Sports & Youth Affairs Department; appointment as Independent Members of Provincial Public Safety Commission, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for a period of four years. To enhance tourism infrastructure, a significant increase was approved for the ADP scheme for the 'construction of access roads to tourist areas in Hazara Division.' The project's cost has been revised from Rs3,500 million to Rs4,278.276 million. The Cabinet green lit the hiring of necessary staff for the Directorate of Anti-Corruption Establishment Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the Market Based Salary (MBS) Policy 2025. This measure is designed to bolster the directorate's capacity to combat corruption effectively. It also granted approval for the notification of Lower Tanawal Beer Valley as a Community Managed Game Reserve, which will help protect local wildlife and promote sustainable management practices. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab News
2 days ago
- Climate
- Arab News
Pakistan issues high alert as seventh spell of monsoon rains set to intensify
ISLAMABAD: Authorities in Pakistan's Punjab province on Wednesday issued a high alert for heavy rains and possible flooding, warning that the seventh spell of the summer monsoons is forecast to be stronger than earlier phases and will persist through much of next week. Pakistan's government has reported over 300 deaths and 1,600 damaged houses due to the floods, heavy rain and other weather since June 26. On Wednesday, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said 'widespread rain-wind/thundershower (with scattered heavy falls at times very heavy) is expected' in upper Punjab from Aug. 13 to 17, with showers spreading to most plains districts from Aug. 18 to 21. Areas at risk include Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Kasur, Faisalabad, and Sahiwal, among others. 'More rain-wind/thundershower is predicted in the country in coming days; monsoon activity is likely to intensify during the upcoming week,' the PDMA advisory said, citing the Pakistan Meteorological Department. Moist currents from the Bay of Bengal are forecast to strengthen from Aug. 17, with a westerly wave influencing upper parts of the country. DG PDMA Punjab Irfan Ali Kathia instructed all commissioners and deputy commissioners to remain 'alert' and keep emergency control rooms staffed round the clock. The agency warned of 'urban flooding in low-lying areas of Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore and Sialkot' and possible flash floods in rivers and hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan from Aug. 18 to 21. Landslides are also possible in Murree and Galiyat, while heavy winds could damage weak structures, rooftops and power infrastructure. Hydrological data from Aug. 13 showed low flood levels in the Indus River at Kalabagh, Tarbela and Chashma, and in the Chenab at Khanki, with normal flows in the Jhelum, Ravi and Sutlej. Mangla Dam was at 65 percent capacity and Tarbela at 96 percent, while Indian reservoirs were around 70 percent full. Since late June, monsoon-related incidents in Punjab have killed 164 people, injured 582, damaged 216 homes and killed 121 livestock, according to PDMA records. The agency urged the public to follow safety instructions, keep children away from rivers and canals, and avoid crossing flowing water during floods. Pakistan's June–September monsoon brings around 70 percent of annual rainfall, but climate change is making seasonal patterns more erratic and intense. Scientists say warmer air holds more moisture, increasing the risk of extreme downpours, while glacial melt and poor drainage heighten flood vulnerability. In 2022, record monsoon rains and glacial floods inundated a third of the country, killing at least 1,700 people and causing damage estimated at more than $30 billion. Last week, a study by World Weather Attribution, a group of international scientists who study global warming's role in extreme weather, found that rainfall from June 24 to July 23 in Pakistan was 10 percent to 15 percent heavier because of climate change, leading to many building collapses in urban and rural Pakistan.
Arab News
4 days ago
- Climate
- Arab News
Pakistan issues flood alert for River Sutlej over possible water discharge from India
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's eastern Punjab province issued a flood alert for River Sutlej and its adjoining tributaries on Monday over the possibility that India would release water from its dams within the next 72 hours. River Sutlej is one of the five rivers that flow through Pakistan's Punjab and runs from the Himalayas through India into eastern Pakistan. The flood alert by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab comes as monsoon rains continue to batter parts of Pakistan, killing 305 people and injuring 734 since June 26. Punjab has reported the highest casualties from rain-related incidents, 164. In a press release, the PDMA Punjab said there is a risk of low-level flooding at the Ganda Singh village on the banks of River Sutlej over the possibility that India may release water within the next 72 hours. 'Water discharge from upstream reservoirs may increase the flow in River Sutlej,' the PDMA Punjab said. 'Water levels in Indian dams have risen unusually during the past week.' The PDMA Punjab said it has issued alerts to the commissioners of Lahore, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan cities due to the rising water levels in the river. It said alerts have also been sent to the deputy commissioners of Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Vehari, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan cities. PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said India's Bhakra Dam located on River Sutlej has reached 61 percent of its storage capacity while the Pong Dam and Thein Dam have reached 76 percent and 64 percent of their storage capacities, respectively. PDMA Punjab said it was monitoring the water levels in the river continuously. 'Alerts have been issued to local government, agriculture, irrigation, health, forest, livestock, and transport departments,' Kathia was quoted as saying by the PDMA. The PDMA director general instructed all departments to stay on high alert, telling them to complete all precautionary arrangements in advance. 'Emergency control room staff should remain on 24-hour alert,' he said. 'Rescue 1122 disaster response teams should also remain on high alert.' He advised the masses to remain updated about the situation, adhere to safety precautions and avoid bathing or swimming in rivers, canals, streams, or ponds. Pakistan, one of the worst-affected countries due to climate change effects, has experienced erratic weather patterns over the past couple of years. These irregular weather patterns include droughts, torrential rains and heat waves. Unusually heavy rains in June 2022 triggered flash floods across the country, killing 1,700 and inflicting damages more than $30 billion as per estimates. Weather experts linked the rains and melting of glaciers to climate change.
Express Tribune
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Punjab to build homes for those who build industry
The Punjab cabinet has approved a plan to provide 1,220 residential flats to industrial workers. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said while presiding over a cabinet meeting, "Workers will get flats in the Labour Complex Sundar, Kasur, and Labour Colony Taxila through balloting." She rejected a proposal to collect price of the flats from workers and directed the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to build 3,000 more apartments for the industrial labourers. The cabinet also approved an increase in the minimum monthly salary of workers in skilled, semi-skilled and other categories to Rs40,000. It approved, for the first time in Punjab, comprehensive rules for the safety of workers. The CM said, "Punjab should approve Occupational Safety and Health Rules 2024." She directed then authorities concerned to ensure safety of employees working on sewerage lines and at construction sites. She directed the labour department to form an enforcement force to ensure the safety of workers. She highlighted, "Just making laws is not enough; implementation is necessary at all levels. Lives of poor workers and labourers are also precious. We will ensure their safety at all cost." The provincial cabinet also approved the draft of the Punjab Restriction on Employment of Children Rules 2024 to prevent child labour. The chief minister announced a reward of Rs50,000 each for rescue workers performing flood duties. The cabinet lauded Rescue 1122 for flood relief operations after torrential rains. An allocation of Rs2.6 billion to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) for the rehabilitation of flood-affected people was approved. It also approved official assessment of grade V and exams of grade VIII students in Punjab. The provincial cabinet approved lifelong pension to employees' widows. The chief minister directed the relevant authorities to establish regular industries for prisoners. She said, "Prisoners working as laborers will also get wages." She also issued directives to introduce a third-party monitoring system in jails. She ordered promotion of investment in the province by approving the establishment of petrol pumps upon the submission of six documents instead of the current 16. She said, "Investors will be able to get NOC by applying online." The cabinet approved the implementation of a uniform procedure for the appointment of treasurers, registrars and controllers of examinations in government and private universities. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the relevant authorities to take necessary steps for monitoring the audit reports across Punjab. The cabinet agreed to a proposal regarding hiring for the appointment of vice chancellors and a condition of 80% marks. The CM said an artificial intelligence-based traffic management system would be implemented on the province's roads within 90 days. She directed the authorities to ensure immediate implementation of a load management system and approved the establishment of WASA in five divisions. The CM said Water and Sanitation Agencies would be established in 13 more cities. The cabinet approved paid internships for nurses in government hospitals. The CM announced that 99% recovery of Kisan Card loans had been achieved in the first phase.
Express Tribune
28-07-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Monsoon rains set to intensify
The fifth spell of monsoon rains of the ongoing season is set to begin across Punjab and continue through July 31, prompting alerts and emergency preparations across the province, officials said. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), heavy rainfall is expected in various districts of northern, central, and South Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Narowal, Sialkot, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Sargodha, Mianwali, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar. The PDMA has warned of potential urban flooding in low-lying areas due to drainage overload. "The monsoon system may cause flooding in Punjab's rivers and streams," said PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia. He added that water levels in the Ravi, Chenab, Sutlej, and Jhelum rivers could rise significantly during this period. The Indus River is already experiencing a medium-level flood at Taunsa Barrage, where water flow has reached 410,000 cusecs. Low-level floods are also being reported at Tarbela, Kalabagh, and Chashma. The Punjab chief minister has ordered all district administrations to remain on high alert. Deputy commissioners have been directed to stay in the field and enforce Section 144 to restrict risky public movement around rivers and drains. Police have been instructed to increase patrolling near water bodies. Municipal bodies, WASA, and Rescue 1122 have been placed on standby, with orders to ensure immediate drainage from low-lying areas, deploy staff and equipment at chokepoints, and keep pumping stations and generators operational. Private housing societies have been warned to eliminate water ponding or face legal action. The chief minister emphasised that these societies are solely responsible for managing their own drainage. The PDMA also released a monsoon fact sheet, detailing rainfall statistics, river and reservoir water levels, and overall flood risk. The statement confirmed that light rain was recorded in Sialkot over the past 24 hours, and predicted more rain in most districts in the coming days. No casualties were reported from the latest rainfall, but the monsoon season has already claimed 152 lives in Punjab this year.
