Rains claim two lives in Rahim Yar Khan

Several mango trees also uprooted, causing loss of millions to farmers

RAHIM YAR KHAN: At least two people were killed after a dust storm, accompanied by heavy showers, hit Rahim Yar Khan district. The rain continued for some hours, paralysing routine life and damaging property in various areas.

The heavy downpour also caused a significant drop in the temperature.

Rescue officials told Express News that Saeed Ahmed, a resident of Moza Ghazi Pur, was sleeping on the patio of his house, along with his family, when a date tree fell on them due to strong winds. As a result, 45-year-old Parveen Bibi and five-year-old Sohail died on the spot, while 12-year-old Asif was injured. The injured and deceased were shifted to the local hospital for legal formalities and treatment.

Doctors at the hospital said that the condition of Asif was critical.



Meanwhile, several mango trees were uprooted due to rains and strong winds across the district, causing a loss of millions of rupees to farmers.  The rain resulted in the disruption of electricity in several cities, while complaints of tripping feeders were also reported in some areas. However, 60% of the electricity in the area was restored after a few hours.

The most affected localities included Jetha Bhatta, Nawan Kot, Zahir Pir, Rukan Pur, Abad Pur and others.

There was also traffic chaos witnessed in Rahim Yar Khan. Commuters were stranded in traffic jams for hours as rainwater accumulated on major thoroughfares. The effort to drain water from the streets was under way till the filing of this report.

The local metrological office predicted cloudy weather with chances of rains during the next few days for Rahim Yar Khan and its suburbs.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2018.