Taken by storm: Sukkur ravaged by wind and rain

SUKKUR:

At around 5 pm on Friday a heavy dust storm hit Sukkur and areas around it.

The wind was so strong that dozens of billboards, trees and electric poles were sent crashing to the ground. Later, torrential rain followed with an intensity that submerged all the main roads within minutes.

With the first few drops of rain, the power supply was disrupted for most parts of the city. Reports gathered from Rohri and Pano Akil spoke of trees uprooted due to the tremendous wind speed. The roofs of many ‘katcha’ houses and huts were whipped away. No deaths were reported.

The drainage system in most parts of Sukkur, Rohri and Pano Akil collapsed and the sewage along with rain water accumulated on the main roads. Very light showers were experienced in Kashmore, Kandhkot, Jacobabad, Thull, Tangwani, Khairpur and other cities and towns, but no rainfall took place in Ghotki district.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13^th, 2011.