March 24, 2006	Friday	Safar 23, 1427

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SUKKUR, March 23: Seven people were killed and several others injured when a heavy dust storm, followed by torrential rains, lashed Sukkur, Larkana, Qambar-Shahdadkot, Dadu, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Jacobabad and Ghotki districts on Thursday evening.

Four people, including three children, died in rain-related incidents in Ghotki.

Three people were killed and seven others injured when hailstorm followed by rains lashed Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot districts.

The dust storm uprooted many trees and damaged signboards in Sukkur.

As soon as the rain started, power supply to the entire Sukkur city and other areas was disrupted.

A hailstorm also hit some areas, including Lakhi Ghulam Shah and Chak, damaging standing crops. Several people were reportedly injured.

Rail traffic was also disturbed and many trains were delayed by two to three hours.

According to reports, many kutcha houses collapsed in the Phullani village in Pano Aqil.

Naseer Chachar and three children, whose names could not be ascertained, were killed and five people injured in such incidents.

Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Thul, Kandhkot and other areas were also hit by the strong dust storm and heavy rain.

Power supply to these areas was disrupted. Some areas were still without electricity when this report was filed.

LARKANA: The violent storm and rains uprooted trees, interrupted power supply and telephone system in the two districts.

Many thatched houses were blown by the storm and roofs of several others caved in with rain water.

Three people of a family were buried under debris as roof of their house collapsed in Chudha village near Ratodero.

Those died in the incident were identified as Ms Rahat, wife of Amir Ali Khatyan, her two children three-year-old Rehan and six-month-old Iqbal.

Seven people — Abdul Karim, Baby Ramsha, Bakhtawar, Umar, Mohammed Ali, six-year-old Saima and Janat — were also injured in the village.

Electricity was off in major parts of Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot districts which caused disturbance of normal life.

Power pylons and phone lines had fallen in many parts of the two districts snapping power supply to different areas.

Low-lying areas in Larkana city were submerged as due to power failure drainage pumps were not operating.