Harrowing times in Pakistan - more than 280 people killed in rain-related incidents since mid-June

Life in Pakistan is in tatters with hundreds of deaths in rain-related incidents since mid-June. The National Disaster Management Authority NDMA estimates loss of at least 282 lives with injuries to more than 200. Heavy downpours have lashed the country and the dead include nearly 160 women and children. The rains have damaged houses, bridges and business establishments across the country. Most of the damages and casualties were from Balochistan province. The death toll is 88 with more than 60 injured. The flash floods were triggered by the rains. Other casualties were 57 in the east Punjab province, 56 in the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and 14 in other parts of the country.

The authorities have launched rescue and relief activities. They are providing basic amenities like food packets, tents, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, hygiene kits, blankets and tarpaulins to those affected by the rains and floods. Forecast of the Met department is more rains in the coming days. 282 killed, over 200 injured in rain-related incidents in Pakistan It believes the monsoon spell would continue through the ongoing week. It has also cautioned about urban flooding and waterlogging apart from landslides in northern parts of the country. These could lead to travel hurdles.

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Goa expects a flood of tourists

Last year, Goa had a 55 per cent growth in tourist inflow during monsoon and it expects to improve on the figures this year. The Goa Tourism department is upbeat about this. The Tourism department has published this surge of tourists in 2016 between June and September - this period used to be known as lean season by the industry. However, aggressive marketing and promotion, has changed the picture.
This has been reported in thestatesman.com dated 28 June 2017.

Goa is known the world over as a beach destination because of its 105-kilometre-long beach which attracts lakhs of visitors, both domestic and foreign. The growth in monsoon tourism has got a boost because hotels offer special packages and the number of monsoon activities have also increased. Goa Tourism Development Corporation has introduced activities like trekking, white water rafting, monsoon festivals, special monsoon cuisine, trips to picturesque locales, biking, waterfall visits and others to woo visitors.
The introduction of new train services like Tejas and the Maharajah Express are also helping to bring in more tourists from neighboring states. A recent survey by a website has declared Goa as India's most popular monsoon travel destination among Indian travelers for 2017.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand an amazing tourist attraction

Valley of Flowers is located in the picturesque Bhyundar area near Joshimath in Chamoli district in the Upper Himalayas and is kept open for visitors from Wednesday. The valley is home to a variety of rare flowers, herbs and wildlife and usually remains snowbound for most parts of the year. The visitors get only for a small window lasting for a few months and, this year, they can enjoy till end October.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 1 June 2016.

On the first day, there was a good response with around 100 visitors who came to get enchanted by the beauty of the valley. The weather is good and the roads are in decent shape besides which flowers like Marigold, White roses and Trisula are in bloom. As far as the famous Brahamkamal flower is concerned, it blooms at a height of 6700 metre and, professional trekkers can get a glimpse of it. The monsoon will only increase the blooming flowers and more tourists are expected in days to come.
Online booking or advance booking has not started for VOF and interested persons would have to undertake a 5-Km trek from the Ghangaria village till the VOF gate from where they can buy their tickets. (For Indian visitors the entry charge is Rs 150 and for Foreign visitors the entry charge is Rs 650). The tourists can enjoy the beauty till late afternoon and must head back before dusk falls.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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