News | Environment
30 Apr 2024 6:42
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Environment

    Lightning and heavy rain kill dozens in Pakistan and Afghanistan in three days

    Pakistani officials say most of the deaths occurred when farmers were struck by lightning while harvesting wheat and rain caused houses to collapse in Punjab province.


    Lightning and heavy rain have killed at least 69 people across Pakistan and Afghanistan in the past three days, as authorities in both countries declare states of emergency.

    Local officials in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province said most of the deaths there occurred when lightning struck farmers harvesting wheat and rains caused houses to collapse.

    The province's disaster management authority said more rain was expected this week.

    Heavy downpours also lashed the capital, Islamabad, and killed seven people in south-western Baluchistan province over the weekend.

    Eight others died in north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan.

    Rain flooded streets in the north-western city of Peshawar and in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan, where authorities declared a state of emergency.

    Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in televised remarks that he had ordered authorities to provide aid in regions hit by rain.

    Pakistan's water reservoirs would improve because of the rain, he said, while expressing concern over the deaths and damage.

    Meanwhile, the Taliban's State Ministry for Natural Disaster Management said heavy flooding in Afghanistan killed 33 people and injured 27 others in three days.

    The ministry said more than 600 houses were either damaged or destroyed while around 200 livestock died.

    The flooding also damaged large areas of agricultural land and more than 85 kilometres of roads.

    He said authorities in Afghanistan had provided aid to nearly 23,000 families, and that flash floods were reported in 20 out of the country's 34 provinces.

    Pakistani environmental expert, Rafay Alam, said such heavy April rainfall was unusual.

    "Two years ago, Pakistan witnessed a heatwave in March and April and now we are witnessing rains and it is all of because of climate change, which had caused heavy flooding in 2022," Mr Alam said.

    In 2022, downpours had swelled rivers and at one point inundated one-third of Pakistan, killing 1,739 people. 

    The floods also caused $30 billion in damage.

    AP/ABC


    ABC




    © 2024 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

     Other Environment News
     29 Apr: Earthquake damage has caused the almost 400 metre Petone Wharf, to be closed for more than three years
     28 Apr: More roadworks disruptions for Auckland's Point Chevalier community
     27 Apr: A 4.7 magnitude earthquake has hit south of the Taranaki town of Waverley
     26 Apr: Fire and Emergency is urging the public to take extra care with controlled burns
     26 Apr: Severe thunderstorms are forecast for Canterbury this evening
     26 Apr: A Hawke's Bay man is raising funds for charity by aiming to walk 100 kilometres in his 100th year
     26 Apr: Freight trains will again cross Ashburton's Rangitata rail bridge, thanks to temporary repairs
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    New Zealand Rugby wants the Auckland Stadium debate settled as soon as possible More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Farmers are continuing to pay well for good people in spite of industry challenges More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Robert Pine is envious of Chris Pine's ability to memorise lines 6:14

    Cricket:
    Black Caps coach Gary Stead is confident they've covered all bases for the T20 World Cup in June 4:47

    Politics:
    The Prime Minister says changes to the education system will be felt throughout New Zealand 21:57

    Politics:
    Solomon Islands' pro-China leader Manasseh Sogavare withdraws from race to be next prime minister 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Taylor Swift was "always writing poetry" as a child 21:44

    Living & Travel:
    New Zealand Rugby wants the Auckland Stadium debate settled as soon as possible 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Britney Spears has advised her fans to "stay moisturized" in the heat 21:14

    Entertainment:
    Rebel Wilson's memoir has been published with censored text in the UK 20:44

    Entertainment:
    Cheslie Kryst's mother is sure that she is "dancing in heaven" 20:14

    Entertainment:
    Kim Kardashian confirms series of rumours about her - including she washes her feet "every night" 19:44


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2024 New Zealand City Ltd