Lightning kills 25 in Punjab and Balochistan
LAHORE: At least 25 people were reported killed in lightning strikes during widespread rain that lashed Punjab and Balochistan on Saturday.
The deaths from lightning were reported from different parts of Punjab and Balochsitan where rain also inundated roads and low-lying areas. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan heavy rain triggered flooding in streams and nullahs blocking roads and stranding hundreds of tourists.
According to media reports, 17 people lost their lives in south Punjab and eight others in Balochistan due to lightning. In a village of Rahim Yar Khan, seven people including a couple and their two children were killed by lightning while working in their crop fields.
A large number of tourists who had reached Kalash valleys of Chitral on Eidul Fitr holidays were stranded in Bumburate and other areas due to the road blockades. Kutcha houses were also damaged in Chitral. There were also reports about snowfall in Upper Chitral and parts of Ghizer district in GB.
The Met Office warned of more rain and snowfall in mountainous areas of upper KP and GB. The government departments concerned were told to remain on high alert to meet any emergency situation.