MITHI: Another man was killed by lightning in a village near Diplo town during the heavy rain that continued to batter Thar on Thursday, raising death toll from two days’ rainfall to three. More than 200 cows and goats also died in over 10 incidents of lightning strike across the desert region since Wednesday.

Kewal Kolhi, 30, became the latest victim of thunderbolt in Bapopa village near Diplo town. A day earlier, a woman and a teenage boy were killed and eight others were injured by lightning in different villages of Thar.

The continuous rain in Mithi, Diplo, Nagarparkar and Islamkot talukas redoubled joys of water-starved Tharis, who were desperately waiting for bountiful showers to cultivate their farmland and store water.

The rain in the hilly area of Nagarparkar caused a number of rivulets to flow down the famous Karoonjhar hill to the dams.

MIRPURKHAS: A big tree fell right in front of the main entrance to Mirpurkhas Civil Hospital, during heavy rain and strong winds that lashed the city last night.

The tree also hit a transformer and badly damaged it, causing suspension of power supply to the hospital. Luckily, no one was hurt but the power supply had not been restored nor had the tree been removed to clear the hospital’s entrance.

The rain inundated low-lying areas as well as main roads and streets after the drainage system developed chokes at many places.

The town’s residents slammed municipality officials for failing to clear roads and streets of rainwater and demanded the authorities and district administration ensure drainage of stagnant rainwater from different parts of the city and remove garbage heaps.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2020