More weather chaos in South Asia

[KHURRAM SERAJ 0]

Heavy rains and winds are causing more problems in many areas of South Asia after a weekend of chaotic weather saw several hundred people killed.

Much of Pakistan's biggest city, Karachi - where 200 died - is still without power.

Forecasters say a cyclone and heavy winds are set to hit most of Pakistan's coast and much of India's west coast.

More than 140 have been killed in the rains in India. There have also been a number of deaths in Afghanistan.

No drinking water

Officials in Karachi say that in just one area of the city, Gadap in the north-west, more than 1,000 homes have been destroyed.

Temporary relief camps have been set-up, but most of those affected are refusing to leave their destroyed homes.

Gadap, like other areas of the city, is without drinking water.

For weeks before the weekend floods, Karachi had been hit hot weather and power cuts, leading to protests and rioting.

Sunday saw more riots.

Billboard ban

Correspondents who have visited the flooded areas and the city mortuaries confirm that more than 200 people were killed, although the mayor of Karachi has said less than 70 deaths have been confirmed.

Meanwhile, the provincial governor has ordered that large billboards in the city should be taken down and in future there should be a limit on the size and number of billboards.

Falling billboards and hoardings accounted for many of the fatalities in the city.

Winds of up to 40 nautical miles an hour are predicted for the coastline of Pakistan. Fishermen have been told to stay on land because of the dangers of three-metre high waves.

Indian weather forecasters have warned of a cyclone hitting the coastal areas of Maharashtra and Gujarat states by Wednesday.

Heavy rains have already caused the deaths of some 140 people in southern and western India. The states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have been the worst hit.

The BBC's Sunil Raman in Delhi says the flood situation remains grim in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra.

Tamil Nadu and Orissa have been put on alert.

So far, some 25 people have been killed in Karnataka, 53 in Kerala, over 38 in Andhra Pradesh and around 50 in Maharashtra.

In Bagalkot, Bijapur and Raichur, the worst affected districts of Karnataka, more than 4,000 people have been left homeless after their villages submerged in flash floods. Eleven relief camps have been opened for the homeless.

Relief operations are also under way in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district which was badly affected by the weekend rains.

In Afghanistan officials say floods and landslides have caused deaths in the provinces of Kunar and Kunduz and damaged housing in other provinces.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6236682.stm

[ELW 5]

Good thoughts and prayers for your wife and family over there! Are you able to contact them?

[KHURRAM SERAJ 0]

Good thoughts and prayers for your wife and family over there! Are you able to contact them?

Thanks for the prayers

Yes, Talked to them and they are all ok, but she said there are chances of another rain storm coming their way

[Ta Ta 1]

I will pray also. I hope that she can join you soon Khurram.

[KHURRAM SERAJ 0]

I will pray also. I hope that she can join you soon Khurram.

Thanks Sister O!

[simple_male 1]

I will pray also. I hope that she can join you soon Khurram.

Thanks Sister O!

Khurram Bhai,

Allah ko par tawwakkal rakho. Inshaallah, she will be with you very soon.

[doc_cute 0]

hi khurram

my u r wife n family be okay in good health in paki (F)

amen

my prayers for you ya

[KHURRAM SERAJ 0]

Khurram Bhai,

Allah ko par tawwakkal rakho. Inshaallah, she will be with you very soon.

Inshallah!!

hi khurram

my u r wife n family be okay in good health in paki (F)

amen

my prayers for you ya

Thanks Mala

[eau_xplain 2]

Khurram,

Praying for your wife's and her family's safety.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Already in prayer about this as my MIL lives in one of the affected districts (Krishna Distt., AP).

[KHURRAM SERAJ 0]

Khurram,

Praying for your wife's and her family's safety.

Thank you

Already in prayer about this as my MIL lives in one of the affected districts (Krishna Distt., AP).

I will include your MIL in my prayers

[chri'stina 190]

Hope your wife and her family will be ok!

[KHURRAM SERAJ 0]

Hope your wife and her family will be ok!

They are all Ok , but she says they are expecting another one coming their way

[brnidokiegurl 0]

hope they are able to stay safe keep us posted

[KHURRAM SERAJ 0]

hope they are able to stay safe keep us posted

Thanks and will do