MULTAN, June 9: Blowing at a speed of 195km an hour, Thursday evening’s duststorm played havoc with mango crop. Reports reaching here from various mango-growing areas claimed that the damage to the fruit was widespread. Nearing maturity, the fruit cannot withstand such a storm which is stated to be the worst in the recent history.

Known for their delicious varieties, south Punjab districts of Multan, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh, Lodhran, Bahawalpur and Rahimyar Khan have a major share in the country’s overall mango production.

According to the local Met office, the storm hit a vast area of the Punjab and adjoining districts of Sindh and Balochistan. It was followed by rain and drizzle in some areas. It uprooted electricity and telephone poles resulting in suspension of power and communication services in different parts of the area.

Local Wapda staff said on Thursday night that power supply through three of the 15 feeders supplying electricity to Multan and adjoining areas was yet to be restored.

Fire brigade officials said that fire had erupted in a number of cotton ginning and plywood factories while a village, Cha Jaalwala, in Khanewal district near Qadirpur Raan had also caught fire in the storm. However, no loss of human life was reported from any part of the affected area till the filing of this report. — Correspondent