India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance has raised concerns over water security, agriculture, and livelihoods for millions of people dependent on the Indus Basin, according to discussions at a UN Human Rights Council side event in Geneva. The October 2 event brought together legal experts, researchers, diplomats, and civil society...
Lahore has once again topped the global ranking of the world’s most polluted major cities, according to air-quality monitoring platform IQAir. On Friday morning, Lahore recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 167, placing it in the “unhealthy” category. Bangladesh’s Dhaka followed with an AQI of 164, while Egypt’s Cairo recorded 158. IQAir reported that...
Heavy rains have triggered floods and landslides across parts of India and Nepal, leaving dozens dead and causing widespread damage over the past several days. In India’s Uttar Pradesh, at least 56 people were killed after exceptionally heavy rainfall caused flooding and landslides across the state. More than 1,000 houses were damaged, while rescue and...
KATHMANDU: Massive flash floods struck northern Nepal near the China border on Wednesday, killing at least eight people and leaving 384 travellers reported missing as authorities launched large-scale search and rescue operations. The flooding hit the Rasuwa district, with powerful torrents and mudslides sweeping through roads, homes and other infrastructure. Nepal’s Tourism Board said 384...
RAWALPINDI: Heavy rain and thunderstorms lashed Rawalpindi and Islamabad early Sunday, causing widespread waterlogging and sending water levels in Nullah Lai sharply higher before they began to recede after the rain stopped. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), rainfall began around 1 am and continued until approximately 5am. Islamabad’s Saidpur recorded the highest rainfall...
Firefighters in Belgium are intensifying efforts to contain the country’s largest wildfire on record, which has ravaged thousands of hectares in the High Fens nature reserve near the German border. The blaze has burned around 3,000 hectares of land, with difficult terrain, dry conditions, and shifting winds making containment efforts challenging. More than 500 firefighters,...
Residents of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) and Chaklala Cantonment Board (CCB) areas are grappling with a worsening water crisis as shrinking supplies from Khanpur Dam and declining groundwater levels have left thousands of households struggling to meet their daily needs. According to officials, water inflows from Khanpur Dam have dropped from the allocated 19...
A fresh spell of monsoon rains swept across parts of Punjab and Islamabad on Tuesday, bringing much-needed relief from the heat while prompting weather authorities to issue warnings over the risk of urban flooding and landslides. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), widespread rain accompanied by thunderstorms is expected to continue over the coming...
The federal government has unveiled a nationwide monsoon preparedness plan aimed at improving disaster response and minimizing the impact of heavy rains and flooding during the ongoing monsoon season. Speaking at a high-level meeting, Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Minister Musadik Malik stressed that effective disaster management depends on preparedness, coordination, and timely action rather...
Thousands of residents and tourists have been forced to evacuate as deadly wildfires continue to rage across parts of southern Europe, with France, Italy, and Spain among the worst-affected countries. The fast-moving blazes, driven by scorching temperatures, prolonged drought, and strong winds, have destroyed vast stretches of forest, threatened homes, and claimed multiple lives. Emergency...