Cold Wave: House struck by lightning in Shangla

SHANGLA: At least two people fainted after their house was struck by lightning in Damorai area of Shangla on Monday night. An insider familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune that the incident was triggered by heavy rainfall and snow in the region. As a result, a fire engulfed the house of Rasul Khan. “The house was partially damaged,” he said. “Two men lost consciousness and were rushed to the hospital.” Temperatures in the mountainous areas of Shangla district have plummeted as the region received its first snowfall of the season on Sunday. Snowfall has been recorded in Shapur, Lailonai and Alpuri. According to residents, Spin Ghar, Gamtal, and Kapar Bandha were covered by a blanket of snow. The cold temperature and chilly winds have forced residents to bring their winter wardrobe out of the mothballs. Last week, the first snowfall of the season was recorded on the high peaks of Malakand, along with rainfall in several parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2015.