Seven people including a couple have been killed and five others injured due to lightning strikes at different locations in Balochistan. The Meteorological Department has issued a rainfall alert for most parts of the country until April 14. Flash floods are also feared in the wake of heavy rainfall.
According to the 24News HD TV channel, a man and his wife died in the Basti Khokhran Feroza area in Liaquatpur of Southern Punjab due to lightning striking them when they were busy cutting crops of wheat to save from rain.
The unfortunate couple was identified as Muhammad Hafeez and Kalsoom Bibi.
A man lost his life and four were injured when lightning struck near the Kuli Daad Mosque in the Spinah Tezha area of Chaman close to the Pak-Afghan border.
The channel reported that a man was killed by lightning in Spin Boldak while heavy rainfalls have caused extensive damage to trees and solar panels in various areas, with electricity supply disrupted for 30 hours.
A young man was killed due to a lightning strike in the Siah Aaf area in Dera Bugti. As per the Met Office, reports of lightning strikes at multiple locations have also been received.
In two different incidents of lightning strikes, two people named Farid Ahmad and Jabbar Ahmad also died in the areas of Sorab and Tonak in Quetta.
As per the channel report, a youth named Ejaz Ahmed Raisani was injured due to a lightning strike in his area.
The dead and injured have been shifted to DHQ Hospital, police sources said.
Heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning hit the regions in North-East Balochistan. Quetta recorded 6mm and Zhob 4mm of rainfall. The Meteorological Department has predicted more rainfall in 27 districts of the province.
As per the predictions, more rain is expected in Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Musa Khel, Kohlu, Sabi, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, and Ziarat while Some areas may experience strong winds and more rainfall, with chances of hailstorms. Local flash floods are also a concern.
Southern Punjab and surrounding regions have been experiencing intermittent rainfall, thunder, and lightning accompanied by cool temperatures on Friday night and Saturday monring.
As per the report, the swift winds and rain have affected the wheat harvesting process, raising concerns about crop losses.
The Meteorological Department has issued windstorm alerts for southern Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir today.
The Met Office has also predicted that Karachi may also experience cloud bursts in the next 24 hours.
Reporters: Essa Tarin, Arif Bugti, Najib Uddin, Ghulam Ali, Sajjad Hussain, Munirzada, and Hassan Mehmood