HYDERABAD: High velocity winds and dust-storm blew away hundreds of electricity poles, thatched houses, roofs of semi-concrete structures, hoardings, signboards and many other things in their way on Wednesday in Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Badin districts.

Several spells of heavy rain that followed the storm crippled life and turned most areas in Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas districts into pools of water.

The worst-hit was the power distribution network that almost collapsed in Hyderabad, Badin and Mirpurkhas districts. Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) officials in Hyderabad said that winds brought down at least 400 poles carrying 11kV lines and 16 pylons carrying 66kV and 132kV high tension lines within its region, which is spread over 14 districts of the province. Power supply to consumers in several districts suspended as soon as the strong winds started blowing at around 4.30pm and could not be restored till last reports came in at midnight. The officials said that over 50 per cent area of the district was affected by the system collapse.

Khairpur, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Thatta, Nawabshah, Naushahro Feroze and some other districts also received rains but without causing any damage.

A 45-minute downpour pounded Hyderabad district at about 4.45pm followed by intermittent spells of light that continued till around 10pm. Roads and streets remained inundated as sewerage system did not work due to power failure. While skies remained heavily overcast, the local Met office said it could not rule out more rains. It said that 36mm of rain was recorded in the city and its airport office recorded 8.2mm of rain.

Although no casualties were reported from any part of the district, a portion of the boundary wall of a parking area in the Cantonment area caved in due to strong winds.

Badin district was hit by a dust-storm followed by high velocity winds and a brief spell of downpour for a second consecutive day on Wednesday.

Kadhan, Seerani, Golarchi, Bhugra Memon, Khoski, Dei, Khadhero, Ghulam Shah, Wahnai Sharif, Jamali Furdo, Khadoom, Nindo Shahar, Kadhan. Matli, Shadi Large and other cities were hit by the storm that caused collapse of electricity, sewerage and communication systems, which were partially damaged during similar weather conditions a day earlier. Six people were reported injured in weather-related incidents in the district.

In Naushahro Feroze district, a moderate spell of rain lashed Naushahro Feroze city, Mithiani, Tharoshah, Bhirya City, Bhirya Road, Kandiaro, Khan Wahan, Kotri Kabir, Mehrabpur, Halani, Padidan, Darya khan and other towns.

Mirpurkhas district experienced another day of rainfall on Wednesday. High velocity winds blew away thatched houses in many villages of Mirwah Gorchani, Digri, Tando Jan Mohammad, Jhuddo, Naokot, Kot Ghulam Mohammed, Sindhri, Hingorno and other talukas. The entire district remained without power since morning while hoarding, billboards and trees in major cities and towns were razed to earth by winds. A nearly one-hour spell of rain in the district brought the life in the district to a standstill with roads and streets remaining flooded with water.

Intermittent drizzle continued till late in the evening while sky remained overcast.

Electricity in many areas went off immediately after the storm and rains hit the region and could not be restored till late in the evening.

Nawabshah city and its surrounding areas also received moderate rains preceded by a storm on Wednesday. Roads and streets in the city as well as Daur, Jam Sahab, Bandhi and some other towns were inundated and there were reports of some areas having hit by a hailstorm.

The local Met office recordred 35mm of rain in the city and forecast more rains on Thursday.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2015

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