At least nine people died and more than 50 were injured during a severe dust storm in Shaheed Benazirabad district and its surrounding areas the previous night. According to initial reports, the storm caused signboards, makeshift structures, and weak buildings to collapse at various locations, leading to casualties and injuries.
Rescue efforts were carried out promptly, and the injured were shifted to Peoples Medical University Hospital Nawabshah for treatment.
Hospital administration confirmed that 32 injured individuals were brought to the facility. Of them, 22 were provided first aid and discharged, while 10 remain under treatment.
Medical Superintendent Dr. Yar Ali Jamali disclosed that four dead bodies are also present at the hospital, and emergency services have been placed on high alert to handle the situation.
Deputy Commissioner Shaheed Benazirabad, Abdul Samad Nizamani, visited hospital to inquire about the condition of the injured. He toured various wards, directed doctors to ensure best possible medical care, and emphasized timely treatment for all affected individuals.
During the visit, Deputy Commissioner also instructed relevant departments to accelerate relief activities in affected areas. He urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during adverse weather conditions and to take precautionary measures for safety.
Later, DC visited Zero Point to review ongoing efforts by HESCO for the restoration of electric supply. He directed officials to ensure the earliest possible resumption of power supply in affected areas.
Severe thunder storms, dust storms and torrential rainfall that swept across various districts of Sindh on Tuesday night, including Karachi, caused widespread disruption and damage.
The power supply system was affected in several cities, while incidents of uprooted trees, flying solar panels, and damaged power lines were reported.
Several areas of Karachi, including Scheme 33, Shadman Town, Malir, Orangi Town, Baldia Town, Gulshan-e-Maymar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Shah Faisal Colony, Bahria Town, Buffer Zone, Nazimabad, and Federal B Area, were hit by strong winds and dust storms. However, damage remained minimal as the intensity of the storm gradually weakened.
In Shahpur Chakar, and surrounding areas, strong winds accompanied by rain brought much-needed relief from the intense heat that had persisted for several days. Residents welcomed the cooler weather and rainfall, although power outages were reported in some localities.
In Hyderabad and nearby areas, powerful winds and dust storms created panic among residents. Light rainfall was recorded in different parts of the city following the storm, but the electricity supply system was severely affected. Power outages began around 11 p.m. in most areas, while residents of Heerabad had been without electricity since 9 p.m., causing significant hardship.
Similarly, Dadu and its surrounding areas experienced a severe dust storm followed by light rain, bringing pleasant weather and ending the ongoing heatwave. However, strong winds disrupted the power system, resulting in electricity outages in many areas.
Two persons including a woman were killed and five others injured after solar panels and large signboards were blown down during a severe dust storm in town, Moro , officials source said on Wednesday.
The casualties occurred when strong winds and a sudden dust storm uprooted solar panels and advertising signboards installed at various locations across the town, causing them to collapse onto pedestrians and bystanders, they added.
The rescue team provided first aid to the injured before being transferred to a hospital in Nawabshah. The hospital sources said some of the injured were in critical condition.