flood surge damages
| |

Flood surge damages railway bridge near Lahore

A railway bridge near Mission Caller on the Sheikhupura-Lahore section was damaged after a strong flood surge hit the area, disrupting train services between Lahore and Faisalabad.

Railway authorities said train operations on the Lahore-Faisalabad section have been temporarily suspended due to damage to the bridge.

Trains travelling from Lahore towards Karachi via Sheikhupura and Faisalabad are being diverted through Sahiwal as an alternative route.

Officials said the Badr Express and Ghouri Express have been cancelled due to the disruption.

The Shalimar Express and Karakoram Express will operate via Raiwind and Sahiwal, while the Mianwali Express, which normally runs between Lahore and Mianwali, will be diverted through Lala Musa.

Several other trains operating on the affected route have also been cancelled. Some services have been shifted to alternative routes to minimise disruption to passengers.

According to railway officials, the flood surge that hit the area last night caused 30 of the bridge’s 110 pillars to collapse.

Repair work has begun on the damaged structure. Railway authorities are working to restore the track and resume normal train operations as soon as possible.

The flooding has also affected nearby communities.

Residents said several settlements, including Hadiala Warkan village, were inundated after the flood surge entered the area during the night.

The floodwaters have also caused significant damage to standing crops. Local residents expressed concern over losses to agricultural land and crops following the sudden rise in water levels.

Similar Posts

  • | |

    Germany faces ICJ hearing over Nicaragua’s Gaza …

    THE HAGUE: The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations’ highest judicial body, has announced that it will hold public hearings in September to examine Germany’s preliminary objections in a case filed by Nicaragua over alleged violations of international law related to the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly the Gaza Strip. According to an official statement issued by the court, the hearings will take place from September 7 to September 10 at the Peace Palace in The Hague. The proceedings will focus solely on Germany’s objections to the court’s jurisdiction and the admissibility of parts of Nicaragua’s legal claims before the case can move forward on its merits. Nicaragua initiated the case on March 1, 2024, accusing Germany of breaching its obligations under the Genocide Convention, the 1949 Geneva Conventions, their Additional Protocols and other principles of international humanitarian law. The Central American nation argues that Germany has failed in its duty to help prevent genocide by continuing political, financial and military support for Israel during the conflict in Gaza. Nicaragua also claims Germany’s decision to suspend funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) contributed to worsening the humanitarian situation. According to Nicaragua, the ongoing conflict, which began in October 2023, has created what it describes as a recognized risk of genocide against the Palestinian population in Gaza, making all states party to the Genocide Convention responsible for taking preventive measures. Germany formally challenged the case on October 21, 2025, filing preliminary objections that argue the ICJ does not have jurisdiction to hear the dispute. Berlin also contends that several of Nicaragua’s claims are legally inadmissible. Under ICJ procedures, consideration of the main case has been suspended until the court decides whether it has the authority to proceed. The hearing schedule provides Germany with the first opportunity to present oral arguments on September 7, followed by Nicaragua on September 8. Germany will return for a second round on September 9, while Nicaragua will deliver its final submissions on September 10. The case is being closely watched by governments, legal experts and international human rights organizations, as the court’s eventual ruling on jurisdiction could determine whether one of the most closely followed legal disputes arising from the Gaza conflict proceeds to a full hearing on its merits.

  • |

    This gold is for Pakistan, claims Ehsanullah Mahsud

    Pakistani taekwondo player Ehsanullah Mahsud has dedicated his latest gold medal to the people of Pakistan. He credited their prayers and support as a major reason behind his success in the competition. Speaking to Geo News after his win, Mahsud did not hold back his gratitude. He said the medal was not just his own achievement. It belonged to the nation that stood behind him throughout the tournament. The gold came at the Thailand International Taekwondo Championship. Mahsud put together a strong run from the very first round. He opened his campaign with a win against a Kazakh opponent. That victory set the tone early and gave him the momentum he needed heading into the tougher rounds ahead. He carried that form into the semi-final. There, he faced off against an Indian competitor. Mahsud came out on top in that matchup, securing his place in the final. Beating a regional rival at that stage is never easy, and the win added extra weight to his overall run. In the final, Mahsud went up against a player from Sri Lanka. He delivered another strong performance, finishing the tournament with a win and claiming the gold medal. Each stage of the competition tested him differently. From facing a Central Asian opponent early on, to going head-to-head with regional rivals in the later rounds, Mahsud’s path to gold wasn’t a simple one. Every match added pressure, and every win built on the last. This is not just a personal milestone for him. Wins like these also add to Pakistan’s growing presence in international taekwondo, a sport that continues to produce strong performances from Pakistani athletes on the global stage. For Mahsud, the victory reflects months of preparation and discipline. Competing internationally requires consistent training, sharp reflexes, and the ability to perform under pressure across multiple rounds in a short span of time. As he continues competing on the international circuit, this gold adds another achievement to his growing list of accomplishments. It also reinforces his position as one of the athletes representing Pakistan on international platforms. For now, Mahsud’s focus remains on what comes next, as he continues building on this latest success and preparing for future competitions ahead.

  • |

    CM Murad decides to transform Sindh PPP Unit into private limited company

    KARACHI : Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has decided to restructure the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Unit into a private limited company to build a more autonomous, commercially agile and investment-oriented PPP ecosystem for the next phase of development in the province. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the chief minister at the CM House on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to the CM on Investment Syed Qasim Naveed, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Principal Secretary to CM Agha Wasif, Planning and Development Board Chairman Najam Shah, Finance Secretary Fayaz Jatoi, Transport Secretary Asad Zamin and other senior officials. The chief minister was informed that Sindh’s PPP programme has emerged as Pakistan’s leading sub-national PPP initiative, with a growing portfolio of projects in roads and bridges, transport, economic zones, information technology, energy, water, livestock, education, health and environmental sectors. The programme has received international recognition at platforms including the UNECE PPP Forum and The Asset Infrastructure Awards. Sindh’s PPP programme was also ranked sixth in Asia by The Economist in 2018. The PPP Unit has additionally provided technical and legal support to other provinces for strengthening their PPP frameworks and project structuring. The meeting noted that the Unit’s transition into a private limited company would enable it to promote and facilitate PPP projects more effectively, assist procuring agencies, strengthen departmental PPP nodes, formulate and implement policies and guidelines, build capacity and monitor portfolio performance. The chief minister directed that the proposed institutional transformation be pursued to remove operational bottlenecks, retain specialised professionals and ensure continuity in PPP project development and implementation. He emphasised the need for a strong institutional structure capable of providing timely technical, financial and legal support to departments and implementing agencies. Mr Shah was informed that the existing PPP Unit faced challenges in retaining skilled staff because of limited competitive compensation and incentives. The absence of dedicated project implementation units and project directors in certain departments was also affecting the pace and quality of project delivery. The proposed PPP Private Limited Company will have greater commercial flexibility to undertake strategic activities, make equity investments where required, mobilise capital through financial instruments and support project financing. It will also be able to develop diversified revenue streams beyond government funding, subject to the approval and oversight of its board. The chief minister underscored that the company must operate with robust governance, transparent performance review mechanisms and clear statutory oversight. He directed that the new structure should strengthen PPP nodes in provincial departments, empower competent officers and ensure that projects are processed efficiently without compromising accountability. The meeting concluded that the restructuring would help improve administrative efficiency, facilitate innovative financing, enhance investor confidence and accelerate the delivery of development projects. The chief minister said the objective was to establish a capable, sustainable and responsive PPP institution that could contribute meaningfully to Sindh’s progress and prosperity.

  • | | |

    Ducky bhai questions parents’ role in children?…

    Pakistani YouTuber Ducky Bhai has questioned the growing criticism of YouTubers over their alleged negative influence on children, arguing that parents must also take responsibility for their children’s upbringing and online activities. In his recent remarks, Ducky Bhai rejected the idea that YouTubers alone are responsible when children are exposed to inappropriate or negative content. He questioned where parents are when children are spending significant amounts of time online and consuming digital content. According to Ducky Bhai, content creators should make an effort to keep their videos clean and appropriate. However, he stressed that YouTubers cannot be expected to act as parents for every child watching their content. He argued that parents have a key role in deciding what their children watch and how much time they spend online. Monitoring internet activity, setting boundaries and discussing appropriate content with children, he suggested, should be part of responsible parenting. Ducky Bhai also referred to his own childhood while explaining his perspective. He recalled that his father encouraged him to focus on his studies and used rewards, including the promise of a PlayStation for good performance, as motivation. He further revealed that his father had installed security measures on his computer that allowed him to monitor his activities. According to Ducky Bhai, this close supervision helped his parents remain aware of what he was doing online. His comments have renewed discussion about the responsibilities of parents and digital content creators in an age when children have easy access to YouTube and other online platforms. While creators can influence young audiences through the content they publish, Ducky Bhai believes parents cannot simply shift the entire responsibility onto YouTubers. Instead, he says families should actively monitor children’s digital activities and guide them toward appropriate content. The debate highlights a broader challenge for modern families: balancing children’s access to entertainment and technology with parental supervision. As online platforms continue to become an important part of children’s daily lives, both content creators and parents face increasing pressure to ensure that young viewers are exposed to safe and suitable material.

  • | |

    Salman Khan reunites with Sanjay Dutt in emotional post

    Bollywood superstar Salman Khan shared a heartfelt moment with longtime friend and fellow actor Sanjay Dutt, delighting fans with an emotional reunion that quickly went viral on social media. The touching post, shared on Instagram on July 31, came just days after Dutt celebrated his 67th birthday and highlighted the enduring bond between the two stars. The Instagram post featured two candid photographs showing Salman warmly embracing Sanjay Dutt, while the veteran actor returned the hug with equal affection. The reunion reflected a friendship that has lasted for decades, with both actors having worked together in several films and often referring to each other as family. Alongside the pictures, Salman penned an emotional tribute to Dutt, writing: “Babaaaa forever baba and baba is baba. Sanju baba is the baba of all of us and Sanju baba is now the baba of his children, my elder brother Sanjay Dutt, may Allah, Bhagwan, Jesus all keep this man happy, I love you Baba.” The heartfelt message received an equally warm response from Dutt, who replied in the comments: “Brothers for life, love you bhaijaan.” The exchange between the two actors quickly captured fans’ attention, with thousands flooding the comments section to celebrate their friendship. Many described the reunion as one of the most heartwarming celebrity moments of the year, praising the pair for maintaining such a close relationship despite their busy careers. The emotional reunion came only two days after Sanjay Dutt celebrated his 67th birthday on July 29, 2026. Salman chose the occasion to publicly express his affection and respect for the actor, whom he has often referred to as an elder brother. Their friendship has remained one of Bollywood’s strongest, surviving decades of personal and professional challenges. The post also arrived amid growing concern over Salman’s health. Earlier this week, the actor attended the inauguration of the newly developed Data Collection and Segregation Support Centre (IT Server Room) at Mumbai’s Slum Rehabilitation Authority office. Videos from the event showed Salman appearing noticeably lean and tired, prompting fresh speculation about his well-being. Some fans wondered whether the actor might once again be dealing with trigeminal neuralgia, a chronic facial pain condition often referred to as the “suicide disease.” Salman has previously spoken about battling the condition and undergoing surgery in 2011 after enduring years of severe pain. However, the actor has not commented on the latest speculation surrounding his health. Despite the ongoing concerns, Salman’s emotional reunion with Sanjay Dutt shifted the focus to their long-standing friendship. Fans praised the two actors for their genuine affection and hoped to see them share the screen again in the future. The touching exchange served as a reminder that, beyond their successful careers, the bond between Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt remains as strong as ever.

  • | |

    Heavy rain, thunderstorms forecast across Sindh ti…

    The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh has issued a province-wide weather alert after forecasting widespread rain and thunderstorms across several districts from July 23 to July 25. Authorities have directed all district administrations and emergency response agencies to remain fully prepared for any weather-related emergencies. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), strong monsoon currents entering the region from the Arabian Sea are expected to bring rainfall of varying intensity across Sindh over the next three days. PDMA officials said heavy rainfall is likely in Hyderabad, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sanghar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Jamshoro and Shaheed Benazirabad. Residents in these districts have been advised to remain cautious and follow official weather advisories. Light to moderate rain is expected in Ghotki, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Sukkur and Khairpur, while Larkana, Naushahro Feroze and Thatta are also likely to receive rain accompanied by thunderstorms. In Karachi, the weather is expected to remain warm and humid with partly cloudy skies. Authorities have also predicted isolated drizzle in different parts of the city during the forecast period. PDMA warned that strong winds, thunderstorms and lightning could damage weak buildings, electricity poles, solar panels, billboards and other vulnerable structures. Officials have instructed local administrations to take precautionary measures to reduce the risk of accidents and property damage. The disaster management authority has activated its monsoon emergency preparedness plan across the province. Dewatering pumps, heavy machinery and emergency equipment have been kept on standby to deal with urban flooding and rain-related emergencies. Authorities have also identified low-lying areas that are more vulnerable to water accumulation and flash flooding. Emergency teams will be deployed immediately if heavy rainfall causes flooding in any district. PDMA has advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rain, stay away from electricity poles and unstable structures, and remain alert during thunderstorms. People have also been urged to monitor official weather updates and follow safety instructions issued by local authorities.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *