September 9, 2023

The Sindh health authorities have issued special guidelines to the airports and airlines after a rise in pink eye infection or conjunctivitis cases. The provincial Border Health Services (BHS) director Dr Murtaza Shah said in a statement that guidelines have been issued to the medical staff and airlines after a rise in pink eye infection cases. The airlines have been directed to ask the infected passengers to contact the doctor of the health department at the airports. Dr Shah clarified that no travel ban is imposed on the passengers infected with Pink Eye, however, the health department’s doctor will give travel advice to the infected traveller after examination. Pink eye is caused by a virus or bacteria that is very contagious and spreads easily and quickly from person to person. People can reduce the risk of getting or spreading pink eye by following some simple self-care steps. Source:https://www.nation.com.pk/09-Sep-2023/pink-eye-infection-special-guidelines-issued-to-airports-airlines

HONG KONG   –  Hong Kong was flooded by the heaviest rainfall in near­ly 140 years on Friday, leav­ing the city’s streets and some subway stations un­der water and forcing its schools to close. Just across the border, authorities in China’s tech hub Shen­zhen recorded the heaviest rains since records began in 1952. Climate change has increased the intensity of tropical storms, experts say, with more rain and stronger gusts leading to flash floods and coastal damage. The heavy rains in Hong Kong started on Thursday and in the hour leading up to mid­night, the city’s weather ob­servatory recorded hourly rainfall of 158.1 millimetres at its headquarters, the highest since records began in 1884. On Friday after­noon, the Hospital Author­ity said at least 110 people were hospitalised due to in­juries, with four in serious condition. A man was found unconscious off the shore of western Hong Kong Island and declared dead at the hospital, though authorities were still investigating if the death was flood-related. The city’s highest rainstorm warning level, “black”, was hoisted for a record-break­ing 16 hours before being lowered at 3:40 pm Friday, with rainfall mostly easing by late afternoon. “It’s abso­lutely shocking,” said Jacky, 52, who lives in the Wong Tai Sin district with his elderly parents. “I don’t remember floods ever being this bad in our district.” “The bottom floor of the mall is complete­ly flooded, the water level is higher than the storefronts… it’s turned our day into cha­os,” he added. Authorities issued flash flood warnings, with emergency services conducting rescue opera­tions in parts of the territo­ry. “Residents living in close proximity to rivers should stay alert to weather con­ditions and should consider evacuation” if their homes are flooded, the observato­ry said. It also warned of po­tential landslips, telling mo­torists to “keep away from steep slopes or retaining walls”. Hong Kong’s stock exchange cancelled all trad­ing sessions on Friday. Source:https://www.nation.com.pk/09-Sep-2023/hong-kong-flooded-by-heaviest-rainfall-in-140-years

At least 632 people were killed and 392 others injured following a powerful earthquake that struck Morocco, the country’s Interior Ministry said Saturday. Fatalities from the magnitude 7.0 quake occurred in various regions, including Al Haouz and Marrakesh provinces, as well as the cities of Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant, the ministry said in a statement. The earthquake was the strongest tremor to hit the North African country in the last century, Morocco’s National Geophysical Institute said. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the epicenter of the earthquake, which hit just after 11 p.m. local time (22:00 GMT), was 75 kilometers (46.6 miles) southeast of Marrakech, at a depth of 18.5 km. Videos on social media captured the immediate aftermath and showed residents spilling out onto the streets. The situation was said to be particularly dire in the Marrakech region, where numerous buildings were said to be collapsed and residents trapped under debris. Local media said some buildings, including the famous red walls that surround the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage, were damaged. The Royal Armed Forces urged citizens to exercise caution and directed them toward safe areas to shield them from aftershocks. Tremors were also felt in neighboring Algeria and Mauritania. The Turkish Red Crescent said it is following the developments closely, and was in coordination with the international aid group and others in the region. In 2004, more than 600 people were killed and many others injured when a magnitude 6.3 quake hit northeastern Morocco. Source:https://www.nation.com.pk/09-Sep-2023/over-600-killed-in-powerful-quake-in-morocco