Pre-monsoon rain and windstorm killed around 17 people and injured over 100 in separate incidents of roof collapse in several cities across Punjab on Saturday night as minimum temperature dropped to 21 degree Celsius in central and upper parts of the province. Meteorological department said several cities, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Kasur, Bahawalnagar, Multan, Chichawatni and Lodhran received light and torrential rains along with gusty winds causing roof collapse and up-rooting of trees.

According to reports, six people died and around 60 were injured in Bahawalnagar alone. Strong winds knocked down billboards and brought down roofs and walls of various structures. An emergency was declared at District Headquarters Hospitals. At Chichawatni, Sahiwal, various rain- and wind-related incidents caused death of three people, and injuries to around 22 people.

In Lahore, a man died and three others were wounded after a roof of a house collapsed in Chauhang area. A woman died in a similar incident in Faisalabad in which one was also injured. In Multan, a man died of electrocution while 19 were injured in rain-related accidents. Similarly, in Rajanpur, a man and his son were killed after being electrocuted. Over 28 people were reported injured in different incidents in Multan and Lodhran as well.

The rainfall resulted in tripping of 70 feeders of Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco), suspending power supply to a large part of the sprawling city for more than five hours. The cities affected by subsequent power suspension included Multan, Sheikhupura, Kasur and Nankana Sahib.

Met Office recorded rainfall (mm) as under:

Punjab: Chakwal 63, Multan 25, Sargodha 21, Faisalabad 19, Sahiwal 16, Murree, Okara 11, Kasur 10, Lahore, T?Singh 08, Bahawalpur 07, M.B.DIN 06, Jhang 04, Mangla, Joharabad 03, Jhelum, Bhakkar, Kot Addu 02, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, NoorpurThal, D.G.Khan 01,KP: Lower Dir, Kakul 29, Malamjabba 14, Kohat 02, Balakot 01,Kashmir: Kotli 07,Garidupatta 04, Rawalakot 02.

Weather forecast for today: Met Office said a shallow westerly wave is affecting upper and central parts of the country and likely to persist during next 02 days. Today (Monday) mainly hot and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country.

However, rain-thunderstorm with gusty winds is expected at isolated places in Sargodha, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, D.G Khan, Bannu, D.I.Khan,Hazara, Rawalpindi divisions,upper FATA, Islamabad & Kashmir:

Sunday's Highest Maximum Temperatures: Nokkundi 48°C,Dadu, Dalbandin, Sukkur 45°C, Sibbi, Rohri, Padidan 44°C.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017