The cities in Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Nawabshah divisions received the first winter spell of rainfall starting from the wee hours on Sunday as lightning strikes reportedly claimed three lives besides perishing hundreds of livestock.
A man and his son, identified as Suleman Nohrio and his 22 years old son Ramzan were killed by lightening in Chachro taluka of Tharparkar district.
Suleman's daughter, 10 years old Kulsoom, is said to have received critical injuries in that incident. She was shifted to taluka hospital Chachro and later to civil hospital Mithi for medical treatment. Another death was reported from a village in Nanagarparkar taluka where 18 years old Qalandar Bux was struck in a similar way.
The people from at least eight villages of Tharparkar reported to the local media that their hundreds of big and small livestock animals have perished. The Pakistan Meteorological Department recorded up to 22 millimetre rain in Hyderabad, 16mm in Thatta and 11mm in Tharparkar.
In Hyderabad the downpour started around 1.30am, beginning with very light drops of drizzle.
Hyderabad and surrounding areas were in grip of cold spell after moderate rain late on Saturday night which continued on Sunday leaving many low-lying localities inundated.
The rainfall also dropped the mercury to between 12 degrees to 16 degrees in different cities of Sindh on Sunday, kick-starting the chilling winter.
With the onset of winter, hot beverage stalls and containers offering soup and hot drinks have sprung up throughout the city, lining the roads, intersections, markets, and bazaars. As the evening sets in, city dwellers are increasingly drawn to shops selling boiled eggs, tea, and coffee.
Moreover, in an effort to keep themselves and their children warm, citizens pulled out warm clothing from their trunks and closets. Many other raced to markets buy new or used warm clothes.
In various areas such as New Town, Gari Khata, Site Area, Hali Road, and other regions, large warehouses and shops are bustling with activity as residents flock to buy warm clothes according to their preferences.
Commissioner Hyderabad Syed Khalid Hyder Shah on Sunday visited the pumping stations of Qasimabad and Latifabad after the first rain of winter in the city and expressed displeasure over the incomplete staff at pumping stations.
He said that the concerned departments do not have the ability to drain even three to five millimetres of rainwater and the citizens are worried about the current situation.
Due to the late night and early morning thunder showers, low-lying areas of Hyderabad, Qasimabad and Latifabad including Hyder Chowk, Station Road, Gari Khata, Cloth Market, Faqeer ka Pir and Nasim Nagar, surroundings of Jeejal Mau hospital got inundated.Rainwater could not be immediately drained out from the roads and streets as the pumping stations did not function in the absence of power supply.
Power supply woes
The downpour, like always, entailed a power supply breakdown in almost the entire region powered by Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO). With the first drop of rain, electricity supply from 444 HESCO was suspended.In a city plagued with faulty and worn out wiring besides hook connections, it is life threatening to keep power supply on during rain, HESO spokesperson explained, adding that electricity supply was restored after safety checks when rain stopped.
The HESCO spokesperson said that out of 131 feeders in Hyderabad City, Latifabad and Qasimabad, electricity supply from 111 feeders was disconnected due to safety and technical issues. He stated that HESCO Chief Engineer Bashir Ahmed directed all officials and technical staff to patrol the areas after the rain stops and restore power supply after safety check.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 27th, 2023.
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