LAHORE: The recent spell of heavy rains and storms has devastated several parts of Punjab as at least nine people have been killed while dozens of the people have sustained severe wounds. According to details, three labourers lost their lives when roof of a dilapidated house caved in on Lahore’s Raiwind Road, while a man and his son were also killed after being buried under the rubble of a collapsed private school wall in Ahmadpur Sial. Separately, the roof of a house fell down in Sama Satta area of Bahawalpur, resulting in the death of a woman. Two other women were also injured during the incident. A worker of the municipal corporation was electrocuted to death during sanitary-related work, while roof collapse left four people, including children, wounded in Lahore’s Green Town area. The injured were rushed to Jinnah Hospital where their condition was said to be out of danger. In another rain-related mishap, a labourer fell prey when roof of an under construction house caved in whereas three people got hurt in an incident of similar nature in Mandi Bahauddin. Meanwhile, a driver was injured after a speeding truck plunged into ravine due to landsliding and downpour in Azad Kashmir. Casualties were also reported in other parts of Punjab such as Shorkot, Mian Channu and several others. On the other hand, pre-monsoon rains in several cities around the country, including Lahore and Faisalabad, turned the weather pleasant while breaking the intensity of heat. Rain was also reported in Gujranwala, Multan, Bahawalpur, Okara, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Rahim Yar Khan, Vehari, Attock and parts of Azad Kashmir. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted that the current spell of rain in different parts of the country will continue till today (Thursday). Published in Daily Times, June 22nd, 2017.