President, PM grieved over loss of lives in UAE floods
A motorist contends with flooding in the port city of Fujairah after unseasonable rains swept through the east of the United Arab Emirates, leaving seven people dead. AFP
President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of lives, including Pakistani nationals, in flash floods that hit parts of the United Arab Emirates.
The president expressed his condolences and prayed for the bereaved families to bear the losses with fortitude. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of injured people.
Expressing solidarity with the UAE in this difficult time, the president said that Pakistan was also facing identical situation due to monsoon rainfall. The president also urged the international community to work closely to ward off effects of climate change.
Premier Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his grief over the loss of precious lives. On his Twitter handle, he expressed his sympathies and condolences with the bereaved families.
The PM, in a related tweet, said that at this difficult time, Pakistan stood in solidarity with the people and the government of the UAE. He also directed the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi to extend full support to the affected families.
Foreign Office spokesperson, in a statement, said that the government and people of Pakistan extended heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the UAE on the damage caused by heavy rains and floods in the Emirates, resulting in the loss of precious lives including five Pakistani nationals.
“We express our deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased and pray for the speediest recovery of those injured. Pakistan stands in solidarity with the fraternal people and Government of the United Arab Emirates,” the statement read.
The spokesperson said that the embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and the consulate general of Pakistan in Dubai were in contact with the UAE government and families of the affected Pakistani nationals. The missions had been directed to closely coordinate with the local authorities to extend full support to Pakistani nationals affected during the floods.
According to media reports, the UAE recorded its highest amount of rainfall in 27 years, causing damages after flash floods hit its different parts. Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Fujairah were the worst affected by floods that followed torrential rainfall.
According to UAE officials, a number of Asian expatriates were found dead following recent floods across the country.