Seven dead, 33 injured as storms hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

• Deceased include children, men and a woman in three districts.
• Bannu, Shangla and Mansehra reported fatalities in recent events.
• PMD forecasts more rain in KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
  

At least seven people died, and 33 others were injured in incidents caused by strong winds, lightning and rainfall across parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past 24 hours, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Sunday.

The deceased include two children, four men, and one woman, as the incidents were reported from Bannu, Shangla, and Mansehra.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast more rainfall in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir at several locations on Sunday. It added that most other parts of the country are expected to remain hot and dry.

The latest casualties were reported days after at least two people were killed and 31 others were injured in rain and wind-related incidents in the province earlier this month.

According to a damage assessment report issued by the PDMA, the casualties occurred when walls and roofs of houses collapsed due to strong winds and heavy rain that lashed different parts of the province.

The PDMA Khyber Pakhtunkhwa issued an alert on Saturday for Swat, Upper Dir, Kohistan, Buner, and other districts and areas in view of the prevailing weather conditions.

It warned that rising temperatures after June 15 may increase risks of snowmelt and possible flooding. The PDMA has directed district administrations to keep alerts active in sensitive areas and advise tourists and travellers to take precautionary measures.

The public has been instructed to avoid rivers, streams and rain-fed areas during heavy rainfall. In case of emergency, the PDMA helpline 1700 can be contacted.

It may be noted here that two people died and 31, including seven women and eight children, sustained injuries in similar incidents, the PDMA said on June 3.

According to a damage assessment report issued by the PDMA, the casualties occurred when walls and roofs of houses collapsed due to strong winds and heavy rain that lashed different parts of the province.