Storms and torrential rain claims 12 lives, injure 39 in Punjab

LAHORE: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has reported that a total of 12 people died and 39 others were injured due to rain-related incidents between June 25 and 28.

The deceased included five children and three women as per the data released by the PDMA on Friday.

All the deaths were reported from at least 13 districts of the province, mainly from the heavy rains, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds

Roof and wall collapse were the leading reasons in most of the death cases, while two individuals died due to drowning in a nullah and one from electrocution. Lightning strikes claimed two lives, including one in Okara and another in Khanewal.

District Okara tops the lists with eight incidents, followed by Mandi Bahauddin with five incidents, where two individuals died and three were injured.

Kasur reported the deaths of two children and one injury, while Wazirabad recorded the loss of one man and one child and two injuries. In Bahawalnagar and Faisalabad, a child was killed in each district, and two men drowned in a flooded nullah in Jehlum.

Chiniot reported a roof collapse that had injured four men. Khanewal witnessed a lightning strike result in one man’s death and another’s injury. One guy and one lady were reported injured by Sahiwal.

Eight individuals, including women and children, were injured in four incidents in Multan. Rahim Yar Khan, Nankana Sahib, and Sheikhupura also reported animal losses and injuries. A tree toppled during a windstorm near Rahim Yar Khan, killing one cow and injuring another.

During the four days of severe weather, the PDMA confirmed 28 incidences in total and advised locals to stay vigilant and stay away from susceptible buildings in bad weather.