Deadly rains: Lightening kills three in Pindi’s surrounding areas

Farmers worried rain spell will damage wheat crop.

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD:

Residents of the twin cities enjoyed a fresh spell of rain on Monday that came as a welcome relief from the hot sunny days preceding it. For two bike riders in Kahuta and another man in Gujjar Khan, however, the lightening that accompanied the rain, ended their lives.

The Kahuta police said Muhammad Shakeel and Muhammad Hafeez, both cousins, were going to work when they were struck by lightning at 8am. Later, doctors at Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital Kahuta handed over the bodies to the heirs after completing formalities. Lightening claimed another victim, Arshad, in Gujjar Khan, according to Rescue 1122.

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) National Agromet Centre Director Dr Khalid Mahmood Malik said the unexpected rain spell would be of short duration, but after four to five years it would continue for a week.” Temperature in the twin cities during this week will remain four to five degrees cooler.

“Even in the month of June, rain spells will keep the temperature cool, however, the mercury is expected to rise from July.”

According to PMD officials, compared to the temperature on Sunday, which was 29 Celsius, it dropped to 19 Celsius on Monday. In Islamabad, 33 millimetres (mm) of rain were recorded, while 37 mm were recorded in Rawalpindi.

While residents enjoyed the pleasant weather, the downpour added to farmers’ worries, who are in some cases still harvesting wheat.

“If it rains for another two or three days, we will not be able to harvest our wheat crop. The rain will spoil the quality of the crop,” said Sardar Satti, a farmer on Adiala Road, while talking to The Express Tribune.

The rain and wind hit hard at a time when the crop was being harvested, said Sultan Muhammad, another farmer. “The rains this season are forewarning farmers they will not be able to taste the fruit of their labour if there are more spells.”

Rawalpindi Agriculture District Officer Dr Muhammad Arif said the rain would fulfil irrigation need, but if there is hailstorm, it may completely destroy the crop.

Malik said, “Farmers will have to wait to sow cotton seeds.

Intermittent rain led to chaos on several roads in the garrison city as most traffic signals were malfunctioning. Due to the rally on Sunday, traffic was diverted to alternative routes, resulting in chaotic scenes of traffic jams.

In Raheemabad, Nadeem Colony, Sherpao Colony and along Rawal Road, rainwater entered houses. Residents criticised the civic agency for its inability to clean the drains. “Whenever it rains, rainwater enters our house and we’ve to drain it,” said Sadiq Ahmad, a resident of Chah Sultan.

Drains overflowed in the streets in various localities including Tulsa, Lal Kurti, Fauji Colony, Dhoke Ratta, Dhoke Kashmirian, Boring Road and Westridge.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2014.