At least six killed as heavy rains hit parts of Pakistan

At least six people, including two children, lost their lives and over two dozen were injured as powerful rainstorms and dust storms swept across various regions of Pakistan on Tuesday, causing extensive damage to homes, crops, and infrastructure.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), moist currents continue to flow into the upper and central parts of the country, with a westerly wave expected to enter the upper regions on May 28. As a result, widespread windstorms, rainfall, and isolated heavy showers with potential hailstorms are forecast for areas including Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Swat, and other districts across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.

The PMD advisory warned that dust storms, thunderstorms, hail, and lightning could pose risks to vulnerable structures such as electric poles, trees, vehicles, and solar panels.

In Muzaffarabad, a cloudburst struck the Bhalgran area, killing three individuals and leaving one person missing, according to a statement by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Preliminary assessments indicate that 30 to 35 homes were completely destroyed, prompting the dispatch of emergency relief supplies.

In Punjab, at least two people were killed and 15 others injured in storm-related incidents. One person died and five were injured in a vehicle accident on Ghazi Road in Attock during the storm. In Multan, a 10-year-old girl died when a house wall collapsed on Old Shujaabad Road, rescue officials said. Additionally, three children were injured by a collapsing wall in Dhoke Rahmoo, Hazro, and a woman was wounded in a roof collapse in Shamsabad. The storm also damaged crops throughout the district.

Rawalpindi reported several injuries caused by falling debris, including two children struck by pieces of a collapsing rooftop and one person hurt in a staircase collapse. In Mianwali, two people sustained injuries after being struck by a falling wall and a dislodged solar panel.

Dust storms and sporadic rainfall also hit Lahore, Multan, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Sargodha, and Dera Ghazi Khan, triggering widespread power outages and damaging infrastructure.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain and hailstorms battered several areas including Peshawar, Mardan, Khyber, Swabi, Swat, Abbottabad, and Haripur. Near the Manki area of Swabi district, a roof collapse killed one child and injured two women. Rescue teams quickly responded and transported the victims to a nearby hospital.