Trudeau Tours Flood-ravaged Western Canada
Muhammad Irfan Published November 27, 2021 | 09:10 AM
Ottawa, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Nov, 2021 ) :Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday visited areas of Canada's Pacific coast hit by catastrophic floods, warning of further climate mayhem as the region braces for more torrential rains.
"This will not be the last crisis Canadians go through," Trudeau told a joint news conference with British Columbia's premier, John Horgan.
"Extreme weather events are going to become more frequent," he said, adding: "We need to address the long term climate change problems," including by cutting CO2 emissions and making infrastructure more resilient.
Heavy rains hit British Columbia in mid-November, causing widespread flooding and mudslides that damaged or destroyed roads and bridges, forced thousands to evacuate their homes and left at least four dead and one missing.
This followed record-high temperatures over the summer that killed more than 500 people in the province, as well as wildfires that destroyed a town.
"We're facing the brunt of climate change, not in the future, but right now," Horgan said.
"Our farms have been flooded, our roads have been washed away and our communities are underwater, and more rain is coming," he said.
Horgan's government on Friday ordered sections of three major highways closed ahead of two more major rain storms expected over the coming days.
Environment Canada has forecast up to 120 millimeters (4.7 inches) of rain over the weekend, warning it could lead to flash floods and washouts.
A second storm is expected to slam the province on Monday.
Earlier, Trudeau, with a local mayor, surveyed aerial images of the flooded Sumas Prairie east of Vancouver, and met with soldiers sandbagging as well as residents affected by the floods.
"I saw the extent of the pools of water, the challenges of so many farms, so many communities impacted," Trudeau said, and met people "fighting for their homes." Officials said this week the province has started barging in fuel from the United States to help ease a gasoline shortage. Sales at the pump in Vancouver, which was isolated by the storm damage, have been rationed.
Exports of lumber and grain, meanwhile, are reportedly backed up, as shipments were unable for two weeks to get to the port of Vancouver.
Both Canadian Pacific and Canadian National railways have started moving goods again between Vancouver and the city of Kamloops to the east, according to a port operations update.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Rafiq-ul-Hujajj Committee to organize 2nd training session for pilgrims in Abbot ..
Defence Minister leads Pakistan's delegation to Kazakhstan SCO moot
4-day book fair opens
30 wheelchairs donated
11 dead, 1295 injured in road accidents
46 vehicles impounded for traffic violations
PSX gains 771 points
PITB HR Wing organizes Eid Milan celebration for children at PITB Day Care Cente ..
Cabinet briefed on progress of PIA privatization
Meeting held to streamline trade between Pak-Afghan , Central Asian Republics
SONY x TECNO - is this for real?
Progress of Aaghosh, Bunyad, Khud Mukhtar programs discussed
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
7 hours ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
8 hours ago -
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
3 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
4 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
5 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
5 days ago
-
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
5 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
5 days ago -
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
7 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
11 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
12 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
12 days ago