Lightning crashes: At least three killed as structures cave in

Over 10 others injured, weather system expected to continue over next 24 hours .

KARAK/ MINGORA/ PESHAWAR/ GHALLANAI:

Heavy rains lashed several parts of K-P and Fata on Saturday, bringing with them death and destruction as three people, including two children, were killed and at least 10 others were injured. The Meteorological department warned that the region would have to brace itself for more thunderstorms and snow over the next 24 hours.

In Swat, Mian Jan and Aisha, both members of the same family, were killed instantly when the roof of their house in Odigram collapsed. The latter was a minor. Others from the same house also suffered injuries. Wounded family members, with the help of locals who rushed to the scene, unearthed the bodies from the debris. The injured were later taken to a hospital where their condition was said to be stable.

Meanwhile, overnight rain and snowfall in Swat district continued throughout the day on Saturday.

So far, Kalam, Utrore, Bahrain, Madyan, Miandam, Malam Jabba, Spin Sar ( Matta) and Marghuzar received snowfall, while the low lying parts of the district were lashed by heavy downpour. Roads were blocked, while life in parts of Upper Swat came to a grinding halt.

Life and death

The rains may have breathed life into the soil of Mohmand Agency and replenished the drinking water supply, but they also brought death to the home of Nadir whose six-year-old daughter was crushed by a collapsing wall. The girl was killed in Sro Kali while on her way back from school.

In Akhonzadgan area of Baizai subdivision, eight cattle belonging to Sultan perished when the roof of their shelter collapsed. In Haleemzai tehsil, two cows of Abdul Jabbar Khan died when the roof of their shelter also collapsed. Just last week, five people were killed in Haleemzai tehsil in two different incidents.

Crashing down

At least eight people, including women and children, were injured when the roof of Rahman Gul’s residence caved in at Gandaw Chowk on Indus Highway in Karak. Volunteers rescued the injured and rushed them to the hospital where their condition was stated to be stable.

Narrow escape

In Peshawar, a teenager and a child suffered injuries when a wall collapsed during a downpour in Chaghar Mattani village on Pajjagi Road.

“Komal, 4, and Sadaf, 15, were injured when the mud wall collapsed on them,” said Rescue 1122 Spokesman Bilal Faizi. “The girls were taken to Lady Reading Hospital where their condition is said to be stable,” he said.

Stormy weather

The meteorological office has predicted more rains with thunderstorms and snowfall in the next 24 hours. Officials said Peshawar received a mammoth 43mm of rainfall, while other parts of the province and tribal areas also witnessed significant downpour.

“Rain with snowfall over the hills is expected in K-P and Fata. However, some parts of the province will also witness hailstorms during the next 24 hours,” the met office said. It added a strong western disturbance that affected the upper and central parts of the country was likely to persist till Monday morning.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2015.