Three children and a woman lost their lives, and more than 30 others sustained injuries in separate incidents triggered by torrential monsoon rains and lightning strikes in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Wednesday, according to rescue officials. Meanwhile, the monsoon spell brought relief from hot and humid weather in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and several upper and central parts of the country, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasting more rain across these regions on Thursday.
Balochistan: Mud House Collapses Kill Two, Injure 10
In Balochistan, intermittent monsoon rains accompanied by strong winds caused widespread damage in the northern and eastern districts. In Zhob, a woman and a child were killed and 10 others injured after mud houses collapsed in two separate incidents in the Nawai Abadi area during heavy rainfall. Rescue teams pulled the injured from the debris and shifted them to nearby hospitals. Relief operations and the provision of temporary shelter for affected families continued. Roads were blocked, and electricity and water supplies were disrupted in several districts as flood-like conditions developed.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa: Lightning Strikes Seminary, House
In K-P, lightning struck a girls' seminary in the Wari area of Lower Dir while classes were in progress, causing the roof to collapse and injuring more than 20 students. Around 250 girls were present at the seminary at the time of the incident. The injured were taken to Wari Hospital, where they were stated to be out of danger. In a separate incident in Bazaar Zakha Khel of Landi Kotal tehsil, Khyber district, lightning struck a house, killing two children and injuring three members of the same family. The house was also damaged. Local residents launched rescue efforts before shifting the injured to hospital.
Relief from Heatwave Amid Climate Change Concerns
The country had been experiencing an unprecedented spell of intense heat, consistent with the rising frequency of extreme weather events witnessed across many parts of the world, which experts attribute to the impacts of climate change. However, the current monsoon spell, forecast by the PMD for July 1-6, has brought significant relief to heat-stricken areas. Rain-windstorms and thundershowers, with isolated heavy falls, occurred in Kashmir, K-P, upper Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and northeastern Balochistan. In the federal capital, rain that started in the evening continued intermittently till night, lowering temperatures and providing respite from the heat.
PMD Forecast: More Rain, Landslide and Flood Warnings
The Met Office said rain-windstorms and thundershowers, accompanied by isolated heavy falls, are expected on Thursday in Kashmir, K-P, Islamabad, Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, and northeastern Balochistan, while hot and humid weather is likely to persist over other parts of the country. It said partly cloudy weather with rain-windstorms and thundershowers, along with isolated heavy falls, is expected in Islamabad and adjoining areas during the day. According to the PMD, heavy rainfall during Wednesday night and Thursday may trigger landslides in vulnerable areas of upper K-P, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, and Kashmir, besides causing flash flooding in local streams and nullahs. Hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan may also experience flash flooding.
Urban Flooding Risk in Major Cities
The department further warned that heavy downpours could lead to urban and flash flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Lahore, and Faisalabad during the forecast period. It also cautioned that windstorms and lightning could damage vulnerable structures, including solar panels, electricity poles, and billboards, and advised the public to take necessary precautions during thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.
Temperature Extremes and Rainfall Data
Meanwhile, mainly very hot and humid weather is expected to prevail across most districts of Sindh, while Balochistan is likely to remain hot to very hot, with rain and thunderstorms expected at isolated places including Zhob, Sherani, Kohlu, Naseerabad, Harnai, Sibbi, Musakhel, Barkhan, Dera Bugti, and Khuzdar. During the last 24 hours, hot and dry weather prevailed over most parts of the country, while very hot and humid conditions persisted over the plains. However, isolated rain-windstorms and thundershowers were recorded in Kashmir, upper K-P, Khuzdar, Zhob, Murree, and Sialkot. The highest rainfall during the period was recorded at Kakul (36 mm), followed by Malam Jabba (25 mm), Muzaffarabad Airport (19 mm), Balakot (17 mm), Garhi Dupatta and Kotli (12 mm each), Khuzdar (12 mm), and Zhob (8 mm). The highest maximum temperature recorded in the country on Wednesday was 47°C at Nokkundi and Dalbandin, followed by 46°C in Dadu and 45°C in Sibbi.
