At-least 28 people were killed and many others seriously injured in storm-related incidents in Alipur, Jhang, Taunsa, Sahiwal and Muzaffargarh, Okara and other cities on Saturday, South Punjab. TV news reported that 12 people died of lightning and other died when boundary walls, roofs collapsed on them or trees uprooted.
Severe wind and thunderstorm hit Sahiwal and adjoining areas in the evening which uprooted trees, pulled down billboards and power pylons while roofs and walls of many houses also collapsed. As a result, eight people lost their lives while dozens others were wounded. Most of the casualties were reported from Saddar Chowk and Jihad Ground areas where many hoarding had been installed.
In Muzaffargarh, five persons were killed when lightning struck the localities in Kundai, Alipur, Sultanpur areas. Police and rescue officials fear that the number of deaths might increase as the far-flung areas could not be accessed till filing of this report, while condition of some of the wounded is stated to be critical.
Windstorms accompanied by thunder and drizzle or moderate rain lashed Punjab after a heat wave crippled routine life in the plain areas of the country for the last two weeks. Experts say severe windstorms are a routine in this time of a year, especially after long dry spells.