Two killed as storms, lightning batter Narowal

Strong winds bring down solar installation, injuring three

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SHAKARGARH:

Heavy rain, strong winds, thunderstorms and lightning strikes triggered a series of incidents across Narowal district, leaving two people dead and three others injured, Rescue 1122 officials said on Thursday.

A spokesman for Rescue 1122 said emergency teams responded to multiple distress calls from different parts of the district as adverse weather conditions continued to affect the region. Rescue personnel provided immediate assistance to victims and shifted the injured to hospitals for treatment.

Two of the fatalities occurred in separate lightning strike incidents. In the first incident on Zafarwal Road, 13-year-old Hanzala, son of Salman, was killed on the spot after being struck by lightning.

In another incident in the village of Man Jattan near Sankhatra Road, 17-year-old Muhammad Shahzeb, son of Muhammad Asif, also lost his life after being hit by lightning.

The deaths plunged both families and local communities into mourning.

In a separate incident in Khanowal on Gumtala Road in Shakargarh tehsil, 55-year-old Muhammad Shahid, son of Sharif Ahmad, was inside his farmhouse when a dilapidated wall collapsed on him due to heavy rain and strong winds.

Rescue 1122 teams rushed to the scene, retrieved him from the rubble and shifted him to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Shakargarh.

However, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

Meanwhile, near Kartarpur, two people were injured when a solar panel structure collapsed during strong winds.

The injured were identified as 32-year-old Waqas and 25-year-old Mujahid.

Rescue officials administered first aid at the scene before transferring both men to the District Headquarters Hospital for further treatment.

Hospital sources said their condition was stable and they were out of danger.

Residents reported that heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds had disrupted normal life in several areas for hours.

Electricity outages were reported in multiple localities, while falling trees and damage to rooftops were also reported.

Citizens urged the authorities to identify unsafe buildings and weakened walls and take preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.

District Emergency Officer Engineer Aurangzeb advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather, thunderstorms and lightning activity.

He urged the public to stay away from open fields, tall trees, electricity poles, solar installations and unsafe structures.

He also appealed to citizens to immediately contact Rescue 1122 in the event of any emergency, accident or natural disaster to ensure timely rescue operations.

The tragic incidents have cast a shadow of grief across the district, while funeral arrangements for the deceased are being made in their native areas.