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Evacuation in the Snow: Fears of Conflict Drive Mass Exodus from Pakistan’s Tirah Valley

Residents from Tirah valley, who fled a remote mountainous region bordering Afghanistan, gather to get themself registered, in Bara, Khyber District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan A wave of displacement is sweeping through northwest Pakistan as thousands of families flee the Tirah Valley after mosque loudspeakers warned residents of possible upcoming military action. The sudden announcements triggered a rapid and chaotic departure, with many families leaving in the middle of harsh winter conditions. Residents describe a tense atmosphere in the valley, where fears of renewed conflict between security forces and militant groups have been simmering for months. Entire communities have packed their belongings onto trucks, donkeys, and makeshift carts, heading toward safer towns such as Bara and Peshawar. Government officials insist that no military operation has been ordered and attribute the movement of people to seasonal migration patterns. Locals strongly dispute this, sayi...
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Southern Europe Braces for Prolonged Heat Wave Amid Wildfire Concerns

 


Greek authorities have issued a warning about an impending weeklong heat wave during the summer tourist season. Much of southern Europe is sweltering under high temperatures, with a high risk of dangerous wildfires. The heat wave, expected to last at least a week, comes after June 2024 was declared the hottest June on record in Greece. Southwesterly winds from Africa are driving temperatures to sometimes exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) until July 19.

In neighboring North Macedonia, authorities have also taken action. They’ve issued a weeklong heat alert starting Friday in the small, landlocked Balkan country. People are urged to stay indoors when possible and avoid heavy labor during the hottest hours of the day. Emergency measures include keeping pregnant women and people over 60 off work, banning construction from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and moving kindergarten classes indoors after 11 a.m. Health officials have reported an increase in heat-related health problems, and wildfires have surged, with 14 registered nationwide in the past 24 hours.

Greece, too, faces a very high risk of wildfires, and this summer has been described as the most dangerous in the past 20 years. Unusually dry winter and spring conditions have left vegetation and forests tinder-dry. Greek firefighters, aided by drones and a strengthened fleet of water-bombing aircraft, have battled over 2,000 wildfires since June. While most were contained quickly, the threat remains. Let’s hope for cooler days ahead and vigilance in fire prevention efforts. 


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