March 10, 2006	Friday	Safar 9, 1427

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SUKKUR, March 9: Thunderstorm, coupled with heavy rain, lashed Sukkur, Rohri, Salehpat, Pano Aqil, Kandhra and Ghotki for the second day on Thursday. In Sukkur, power supply to the city and adjoining areas was disrupted following the thunderstorm and rain last night. The torrential rain continued for about two hours and, later, light rain continued throughout the night.

Rainwater accumulated on main roads and in low-lying areas, causing hardships to people.

The power supply was restored to most parts of the city later while some areas remained without electricity the whole night.

On Thursday, a heavy downpour, followed by a thunderstorm, hit Sukkur and its adjacent areas, adding to miseries of people. The supply of electricity was disrupted once again and sewage and rainwater accumulated in low-lying areas which paralyzed the normal life.

According to agriculture experts, the rain and hailstorm would damage standing crops. However, they said, it would benefit tail-end growers as they would receive water.

The rain and storm also affected business activities because people were confined to their homes.

Many people were injured when their motorcycles skidded due to mud on roads.

Light rain continued with intervals till the filing of this report.

KHAIRPUR: The district received rain for the second day on Thursday.

The rain is likely to affect date palm orchards.

Abadgars Ittehad leader Syed Shakir Ali Shah and other growers said that following the rains, the chance of a virus attack on the orchards had increased as had happened last year.

They demanded that the government should immediately arrange spray to avoid the virus attack.

They said that according to a government survey, date palm orchards had sustained 80 per cent losses last year due to rains during the same season.

DADU: Different parts of the district received rain with strong winds.

Areas of Dadu, Johi, Khairpur Nathan Shah and Mehar talukas received rain which affected wheat crop and vegetables.

A man, Umair Dayo, 35, was killed when his motorcycle slipped on the Jhangara-Sehwan road due to rain.

THATTA: The district received rain on Thursday morning, turning the weather pleasant.

There were reports of losses to standing crops of melon, tomato and vegetables in Mirpursakro and other parts of the district.