Page 30 - Floods

Fears over floods, winds rise as Hurricane Ian approaches Florida coast

Florida residents rushed to board up their homes, stash precious belongings on upper floors and flee from oncoming Hurricane Ian, fearing the monstrous storm that knocked out power to all of Cuba and left 11 million people without power would slam into their state's west coast with catastrophic winds and flooding on Wednesday. You can't do anything about natural disasters, said Vinod Nair, who drove inland from the Tampa area Tuesday with his wife, son, dog and two kittens seeking a hotel in the tourist district of Orlando. We live in a high risk zone, so we thought it best to evacuate. Nair and his family were among at least 2.5 million Florida residents ordered to evacuate in anticipation of a powerful storm surge, high winds and flooding rains. Fueled by warm offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Ian was gaining strength after plowing over western Cuba's prized tobacco-growing region as a Category 3 storm on Tuesday. The U.S. National Hurricane Center predicted Ian could become

Over 200,000 affected by natural disasters in Afghanistan: Report

Occurrences of floods and earthquakes across several provinces of Afghanistan have affected more than 2,23,000 people over the past several months, a UN report said

Pakistan floods: Damaged crops raise fears of hunger amongst citizens

Like every year, Arz Mohammed had planted his little patch of land in southern Pakistan with cotton. The crop would earn him enough so that, as he puts it, his family of five wouldn't be reduced to begging. Then came the deluge. Pakistan's massive floods this summer collapsed Mohammed's home and destroyed his four acres of cotton, wiping out most of his income. On top of that, his land and that of his neighbours remain underwater, three months after the heaviest rains stopped. Like many farmers across southern Pakistan, he may not be able to plant his next crop wheat in time. That could spell trouble for the country's food supply. These rains have destroyed everything for us, said Mohammed, who lives in a tent with his wife and children near his wrecked house in Khairpur, one of the country's hardest-hit districts. We don't even have anything to eat. This summer's flooding, caused by monsoon rains nearly triple the usual ferocity, wiped out huge swaths of crops, leaving already

Typhoon Noru leaves 5 dead; causes floods, power outages in Philippines

Typhoon Noru blew out of the northern Philippines on Monday, leaving five rescuers dead, causing floods and power outages and forcing officials to suspend classes and government work in the capital and outlying provinces. The most powerful typhoon to hit the country this year slammed into the coast in Burdeos town in Quezon province before nightfall on Sunday then weakened as it barrelled overnight across the main Luzon region, where thousands of people were moved to emergency shelters, some forcibly, officials said. Governor Daniel Fernando of Bulacan province, north of Manila, said five rescuers, who were using a boat to help residents trapped in floodwaters, were hit by a collapsed wall then apparently drowned in the rampaging waters. They were living heroes who were helping save the lives of our countrymen amid this calamity, Fernando told DZMM radio network. This is really very sad. On Polillo island in northeastern Quezon province, a man was injured after falling off the roof

World Bank pledges $2 billion for flood-ravaged Pakistan, says report

The $2 billion figure includes that amount. Raiser said the bank is working with provincial authorities to begin as quickly as possible repairing infrastructure and housing

Floods left behind an 'ocean of human suffering': Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif

"Pakistan has never seen a more stark and devastating example of the impact of global warming," Sharif said about the disaster.

US declares public health emergency for Puerto Rico after hurricane Fiona

US Department of Health and Human Service has declared a public health emergency for Puerto Rico due to the severe flooding caused by hurricane Fiona which made a landfall earlier this week

Death toll in Pakistan flooding rises to 1,559 with 15 new fatalities

The overall death toll in Pakistan from the devastating floods has increased to 1,559, with 12,850 others injured, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said

UP CM Yogi orders flood alert in 10 districts over rising river water level

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the administration to be on alert, following the increase in the water level of the Kuano river at Chandradeep Ghat

WHO concerned over soaring water-borne diseases due to floods in Pakistan

The World Health Organisation has expressed fears about an impending second disaster of water-borne diseases in Pakistan in the wake of devastating floods that has wreaked havoc in several parts of the country. In a statement issued by the WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the global health watchdog said that water supply was disrupted in flood-hit areas of Pakistan, forcing people to drink unsafe water which could cause cholera and other diseases. The WHO has cautioned people across flood-hit areas of Pakistan, precisely the worst affected Sindh province to be extra careful. Tedros on Saturday highlighted that stagnant water serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes and spreads vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue and urged donors to continue to respond generously to save lives and prevent more suffering. Separately, the WHO Director general tweeted that he was deeply concerned about the potential for a 2nd disaster in Pakistan, spreading disease and threatening .

Pak food importers at mercy of grey market owing to dollar crunch: Report

This situation has forced the government to immediately allow imports of these foodstuffs from neighbouring countries to bridge the supply and demand gap

Surge in dengue fever continues in Pakistan amid devastating floods

A surge in dengue fever cases continues in parts of Pakistan amid the ongoing outbreak that occurred due to floods in the country, the health authorities said

Pakistan facing risk of fresh floods, more deaths as toll crosses 1,500

Although waters have started receding in some areas, authorities are worried heavy rains in parts of neighboring India could swell key rivers in Pakistan

Pakistan crowdfunds $40 mn for dam but spent $63 mn on its ads: Report

he heavily advertised crowdsourced campaign, which was launched by a Supreme Court judge and was endorsed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan is the mega dam caught in a scandal.

Centre approves release of Rs 250 cr from NDRF to Assam for flood relief

The Centre on Friday approved the release of Rs 250 crore as grant of assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to Assam for rehabilitation and restoration work after floods and landslides this year, officials said. The decision has been taken by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked the central government for approving the amount to the state. "We are extremely grateful to Adarniya PM Shri @narendramodi Ji and Adarniya HM Shri @AmitShah Ji for release of Rs 250 cr from National Disaster Response Fund to help Assam work on rehabilitation & restoration of the damages caused due to massive floods & landslides this year, Sarma tweeted. In a communication, the home ministry said the issues of severe flood and landslides during this Monsoon has been considered in the home ministry. The home ministry, after examination, decided with the approval of home minister to release an amount of Rs 250 crore 'on account basis' from ...

Water begins receding in Pakistan's worst flood-hit southern Sindh province

Floodwaters are receding in Pakistan's worst-hit southern Sindh province, officials said Friday, a potentially bright sign in an ongoing crisis that has left hundreds of thousands of people homeless in the impoverished South Asian country. The Indus River, which remained swollen until earlier this month, was now rushing at normal levels towards the Arabian Sea, according to Mohammad Irfan, an irrigation official in hard-hit Sindh. The water level in the past 48 hours receded as much as three feet in some of the inundated areas nearby, including the Khairpur and Johi towns, where waist-high water damaged crops and homes earlier this month. A day earlier, engineers had opened a key highway in the southwestern Baluchistan province, allowing rescue workers to speed aid to those suffering in a race against the spread of waterborne diseases and dengue fever. Still, hundreds of thousands of people in Sindh are living in makeshift homes and tents. Authorities say it will take months to ...

Pakistan receives 100 flights carrying relief items for flood victims

The humanitarian relief goods include food items, tents, blankets, medical supplies, survival and hygiene equipment, and high-capacity water pumps

Flood-hit Pakistan's food imports surge 65% during first two months of FY23

The major food imports include the country's main food staple wheat, palm oil and soybean oil among others, according to the latest stats issued by the bureau on Thursday

Flood-hit Pakistani citizens need America's assistance: US Congresswoman

Asserting that the people of Pakistan need America's help, a US lawmaker has introduced legislation to provide more help to the country that has been devastated by recent floods. The cash-strapped nation has been struggling with the worst floods in the past 30 years, leaving more than 1,400 dead and 33 million people affected since early June. A third of the country is submerged in water and one in every seven persons is badly affected by the floods that have led to an estimated USD 12 billion in losses that have left about 78,000 square kilometres (21 million acres) of crops under water. The people of Pakistan need our help. The Pakistani Americans have risen to their call. So many in my Congressional district are providing and offering to help send medical care if you will, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, co-chair of the Pakistani Congressional Caucus said in her remarks in the House of Representatives. Speaking on the floor of the House, Jackson-Lee said that it is very import

US provided over $53 mn this year to support flood response in Pakistan: WH

The US has provided over USD 53 million this year alone to support disaster resilience and flood response in Pakistan, the White House said Thursday. The cash-strapped nation has been struggling with the worst floods in the past 30 years, leaving more than 1,400 dead and 33 million people affected since early June. A third of the country is submerged in water and one in every seven persons is badly affected by the floods that have led to an estimated USD 12 billion in losses that have left about 78,000 square kilometres (21 million acres) of crops under water. We've provided a total of USD 53.1 million this year alone to support disaster resilience and flood response in Pakistan. Additionally, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) is airlifting 41,200 kitchen sheets, 1,500 rolls of plastic sheeting, 35,000 plastic tarps and 8,700 shelter fixing kits helping more than 300,000 people with shelter and household needs, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at h