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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed authorities to expedite rescue operations in flood-affected areas, his office said, as torrential monsoon rains killed at least 15 people during the last 24 hours in the country’s northern areas. 

At least 10 people were killed and two injured during the last 24 hours in rain-related incidents across Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the provincial disaster management authority (PDMA) KP said in its report on Tuesday. Separately, a Gilgit-Baltistan official confirmed five people had died, among them four tourists, while several were reported missing after a cloudburst near the popular Babusar Road triggered floods and landslides in the area on Monday afternoon. 

In a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Sharif expressed sorrow at the loss of lives caused by heavy rains and floods in several parts of the country.

“The prime minister directed that rescue operations in flood-affected areas be expedited,” the PMO said, directing the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to remain in constant contact with provincial authorities and other government departments. 

Sharif directed the authorities to provide immediate relief to the people, saying that all preparations to deal with any possible situation in the coming days should be completed. 

He directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) and Frontier Works Organization (FWO) to accelerate restoration work on highways and link roads affected by the floods. 

Heavy rains led to urban flooding in Islamabad’s Saidpur Village on Monday, as footage shared widely on social media showed severely damaged cars being swept away by raging currents in nullahs.

The prime minister also expressed grief over news reports of a father and his daughter being swept away in their car by floodwaters in Islamabad’s Defense Housing Authority Phase 5 area.

A video being shared widely on social media and television channels showed the car being swept away by the floodwater, with a man calling out for help from within the vehicle. Local media widely reported that authorities had launched a rescue operation to recover the father and daughter. 

“The prime minister directed that all possible efforts be made to rescue the father and daughter swept away in the floodwater with their vehicle,” the PMO said. 

As per the PDMA KP’s preliminary report issued on Tuesday, the 10 victims of rain-related incidents include two men, two women and six children while the injured includes a man and one child. 

The incidents occurred in various districts of the province such as Swat, Bajaur, Buner, Upper Kohistan, Upper Chitral and Shangla, as per the PDMA report.

The development takes place as the death toll from rain-related incidents in Pakistan since June 26 has surged to 221, as per the NDMA’s latest situation report.

Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province has reported the highest number of deaths at 135, followed by 46 in KP, 22 in Sindh, 16 in Balochistan, and one each in the federal capital of Islamabad and Azad Kashmir.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department warned this week that landslides and mudslides may block roads in vulnerable areas of Murree, Galliyat, Azad Kashmir and GB, forecasting heavy rains till July 25. Torrential rains, windstorms and lightning could also damage weak structures, electric poles, billboards, vehicles and solar panels, it added.

Monsoon season brings South Asia 70 to 80 percent of its annual rainfall, arriving in early June in India and late June in Pakistan, and lasting through until September.

However, Pakistan is ranked consistently among countries most affected by climate change impacts. Pakistan has witnessed irregular weather patterns in recent years, which include heavy rains, droughts and soaring temperatures. 

In 2022, record-breaking monsoon rains combined with glacial melt submerged nearly a third of Pakistan, killing more than 1,700 people and displacing over 8 million. In May, at least 32 people were killed in severe storms, including strong hailstorms.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) announced this week it has appointed former Newcastle legend Nolberto Solano as the new head coach of the national men’s and under-23 team.

Solano, a former international footballer who has played 95 matches for Peru, was a prominent English Premier League footballer who also played for high-profile teams such as Newcastle United and Aston Villa during his football career. 

He will replace Stephen Constantine, a seasoned football coach, who was affiliated with Pakistan from September 2023 till October 31, 2024. Constantine had previously managed the national football teams of Nepal, India, Malawi, Sudan and Rwanda. 

“Nolberto Solano, legendary Peruvian international and former Premier League star, has officially been appointed as the Head Coach of Senior Men’s National and U23 Team,” the PFF said. 

The federation said it had also hired Jorge Castañeira, describing him as a “globally respected performance and fitness coach,” to serve as associate fitness coach for the senior men’s national team.

“With over 30 years of elite-level experience, Jorge has worked across continents with top national teams and clubs,” the PFF said. 

PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani said both new hirings would help Pakistan build a “strong and professional future” for football in the country. 

“With Solano and Castañeira joining us, we will give our players better facilities,” Gilani added.