DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on Tuesday announced five major initiatives aimed at enhancing the country's capacity to respond to natural and human-made disasters, underscoring the government's commitment to protecting lives and property.

Speaking at an event marking World Humanitarian Day in the national capital of Dodoma, Majaliwa said the actions are part of ongoing efforts by the government to strengthen disaster management nationwide.

According to Majaliwa, the government has already distributed seeds, food, and other aid to victims of flooding in Rufiji, Kibiti and Morogoro regions, as well as to survivors of a recent building collapse in the Kariakoo area in Dar es Salaam.

To enhance emergency response, a situation room has been established to monitor crises in real time and coordinate swift interventions, he said, adding that communication systems and emergency operation centers have also been reinforced.

Majaliwa paid tribute to humanitarian aid workers, praising their courage and compassion. He also urged greater collaboration among stakeholders to ensure efficient disaster response.

NEW DELHI: Hujan lebat berterusan melanda Mumbai dan kawasan sekitarnya pada Selasa, menyebabkan gangguan besar terhadap kehidupan harian di ibu kota kewangan India.

Lebih 250 penerbangan ditunda atau dibatalkan, perkhidmatan kereta api mengalami kelewatan ketara dan lalu lintas terjejas akibat limpahan air di jalan raya dan lorong, lapor Xinhua.

Beberapa kenderaan dilaporkan rosak akibat berada air sedalam paras lutut hingga pinggang di pelbagai kawasan sekitar Mumbai.

Laporan televisyen menunjukkan sebuah bas separuh tenggelam dalam air bertakung dan penunggang motosikal terpaksa menolak motosikal mereka melalui jalan yang dinaiki air di luar stesen kereta api Kurla.

Perkhidmatan tren tempatan di 'Laluan Harbour' dihentikan selepas landasan kereta api tenggelam dalam air, menurut laporan TV.

Sekolah, kolej dan institusi pendidikan lain ditutup di seluruh Mumbai, ketika hujan lebat dijangka berterusan sekurang-kurangnya hingga petang Selasa.

BAR DALORI: Survivors and rescuers in a remote Pakistani village are digging through rubble after a deadly cloudburst triggered massive landslides.

The disaster struck Dalori village in the middle of the night, sending rocks and water crashing down mountainsides.

At least 15 houses were destroyed, with nine confirmed dead and around 20 still trapped under debris.

Rescuers worked by mobile phone light, using hammers, shovels and bare hands to clear blocked pathways in the electricity-free area.

The cloudburst occurred during heavy monsoon rains that have already killed over 350 people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Torrential rains since Thursday have caused widespread flooding and landslides across northern Pakistan.

Authorities warn of potential fresh flash floods in coming days as the monsoon continues.

Khan described seeing his neighbour’s hand protruding from rubble before rescuers recovered her body and those of her four children.

Villager Gul Hazir compared the disaster to an apocalyptic movie, recalling how rocks smashed houses before floodwaters arrived.

Local official Usman Khan noted many houses were built in stream beds, worsening the destruction.

Rescue efforts are hampered by narrow alleys that prevent heavy machinery from accessing the worst-hit areas.

Funerals have already been held for five victims, with women mourning in homes still without electricity.

Unattended cattle wandered through debris-filled alleys as residents struggled to comprehend their losses.

One grieving woman vowed to leave the village forever as she followed a coffin through the streets.

Residents had been collecting aid for neighbouring flood victims before disaster struck their own community.

“We didn’t know we would be needing help ourselves,“ said villager Gul Hazir. - AFP

ISLAMABAD, 20 Ogos: Seramai 46 orang terbunuh akibat hujan monsun dalam tempoh 24 jam lepas, menjadikan jumlah keseluruhan korban berkaitan hujan di Pakistan meningkat kepada 393 sejak Khamis, menurut Pihak Berkuasa Pengurusan Bencana Negara (NDMA) pada Selasa, lapor Xinhua.

Secara keseluruhan, 706 penduduk Pakistan dilaporkan maut sejak bermulanya musim monsun pada 26 Jun, menurut laporan situasi terkini NDMA.

NDMA menyatakan kebanyakan kematian berlaku akibat rumah dan bumbung yang runtuh selepas hujan lebat, manakala selebihnya berpunca daripada banjir kilat, tanah runtuh, renjatan elektrik serta panahan petir.

Wilayah Khyber Pakhtunkhwa mencatatkan jumlah korban tertinggi dengan 427 kematian.

Pihak berkuasa itu turut memaklumkan bahawa hujan monsun menyebabkan kerosakan besar kepada infrastruktur dan harta persendirian di seluruh negara.

Sejak 26 Jun, lebih 2,934 rumah rosak, 1,108 ternakan terkorban, selain 451 kilometer jalan raya dan 152 jambatan turut terjejas, dengan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa serta Kashmir yang ditadbir Pakistan paling teruk terkesan.

Pihak berkuasa memberi amaran hujan berterusan dijangka berlaku dalam beberapa hari mendatang dan menggesa penduduk di kawasan berisiko supaya mengambil langkah berjaga-jaga. -TVS