Heavy rains, hail devastate wheat crop in Punjab

Minor killed in Lahore after marriage hall roof collapses

LAHORE/ BHAKKAR: Stormy weather prevailed in the province, claiming the life of a minor in Lahore night. Meanwhile, standing wheat and gram crops were flattened to the ground in the wake of torrential rain and hail storms.

A minor girl was killed and 10 people were injured after the wall of a marriage hall in Shadbagh collapsed on Monday night. The provincial capital was hit by a dust storm and rains. Reportedly, winds blowing at a speed of 65 kilometres per hour knocked down the wall of the hall where a marriage ceremony was under way. The victim was identified as Taania Ashfaq.

Rescue workers shifted the injured to nearby hospitals and evacuated the remaining guests who were trapped inside. Meanwhile, the roof of a house collapse in Kahna, injuring three people. The injured were identified as Muqadas, Rafia and Asif and were shifted to Jinnah Hospital.

The wind also uprooted trees and knocked over signboards and affected routine life in the city. Many commuters remained stranded on the roads while traffic jams were also reported. Similar weather conditions were also reported in the city on Tuesday.

However, no loss of life or injury were reported.

Rains decimate crops in Bhakkar Crops in Bhakkar have been decimated due to recent rains, strong winds and hail storms. Farmers have incurred substantial losses and are demanding that the government take notice of the situation.

Standing wheat and gram crops, sown on millions of acres in the district, have been flattened to the ground by the wind and rain while in other areas, the ears of the wheat crops have broken away.

As a result, farmers are worried about the remaining crops that managed to survive the tumultuous weather. They fear that the remaining crops will also be damaged as the harvesting process has not yet begun.

Typically around this time of year, growers have harvested and packaged the crop to sell it onwards. Several landlords stated that according to their estimates, the recent rains have caused a significant financial loss while the wheat and gram crops have also suffered irreparable damage. Further, mango and date orchards were also not spared. Farmers say that the government should provide relief to growers from the affected area.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Deputy Commissioner Waqas Rasheed said that teams from the revenue department are conducting surveys in order to ascertain the losses caused by the recent rains. Further, an emergency flood control centre has also been formed for this purpose, he said. “All protection measures have been adopted and alldepartments have been set on high alert,” he said.

Meanwhile, the assistant commissioners of all four tehsils in Bhakkar district have been directed to formulate a survey report. In addition, awareness seminars are also underway to educate farmers on how to prevent further damage to the crops. In the wake of the heavy rainfall, farmers must adopt strategies to protect their animals and their crops. All municipal committees, Rescue 1122 and other departments have been directed to keep heavy machinery on hand.

Further, all municipal committees have been directed to ensure that all sewerage lines and drains are cleaned on a timely basis.

*ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT IN LAHORE