PESHAWAR: Two persons were killed and 11 persons received injuries in several areas due to severe dust storm in Peshawar on Sunday.

According to Rescue 1122, roofs and walls collapsed in Afghan Colony, Asad Anwar Colony and Rano Garhi while trees fell in Civil Quarters, Begum Shahabuddin Girls School in Tehsil and old vegetable market in the provincial capital due storm.

The spokesperson for Rescue 1122, Bilal Faizi, said that 11 persons including children were injured in several incidents due to dust storm. He said that the injured were rescued and shifted to hospital. He said that Rescue 1122 teams were busy in clearing the affected areas and removing fallen trees.

He said that similar incidents were reported in Nowshera and Charsadda districts.

Power supply remains suspended in many areas

A statement issued from the office of Peshawar deputy commissioner said that there were reports of loss of precious lives and injuries to several people due to severe wind and storm in the city and its surroundings.

It said that two persons died on the spot and three others were injured when a tree fell due to strong wind in Sabzi Mandi area of Ghanta Ghar. The injured were immediately shifted to hospital where they were being provided with medical assistance, it added.

It read that district administration immediately visited Ghanta Ghar Sabzi Mandi, Gulbahar, Afghan Colony and other affected areas, where they inspected the areas, inquired about the injured persons and supervised the relief operations.

The statement said that Deputy Commissioner Sarmad Saleem Akram along with Additional Deputy Commissioner Rao Hashim Azeem visited the affected areas.

It said that district administration directed relevant agencies to provide the best medical facilities to injured and take immediate steps to inspect trees and electricity poles so that such incidents could be avoided in future.

The district administration also appealed to locals to avoid unnecessary movement during wind, storm or bad weather and stay away from electric wires, trees and walls.

“The district administration of Peshawar is continuously monitoring the situation and relief agencies are on alert so that any possible emergency can be dealt with immediately,” said the statement.

In a video, shared on social media platform, several huge advertisement boards can be seen falling near Aman Chowk, blocking the main road to all kinds of traffic. Several billboards fell on main University Road as well.

Strong and dusty winds, in several spells on Sunday evening, suspended power supply to almost all areas of the provincial capital. The supply of electricity was not resumed to many areas till filing of this report.

Power supply remained suspended in Hayatabad, University Town, Peshawar Cantonment, Kohat Road, interior city, Circular Road, Gulbahar, Hashtnagri, Shami Road, Dalazak Road, Charsadda Road, Ring Road and in many areas on outskirts of the provincial capital.

According to the spokesperson for Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco), the Pesco region got affected due to severe wind and storm with 110 feeders, shutdown.

A statement issued by Pesco said that feeders got shut down due to faults. It added that several grid stations got tripped but were restored.

“Many grid stations got tripped but they were restored immediately,” the statement said. It added that power supply remained suspended in Peshawar, Khyber, Swat, Mardan, Swabi and Abbottabad districts and Mansehra Circle due to bad weather.

It said that Pesco teams were on high alert and work on restoring power supply was under way. It added that the Pesco control room was continuously monitoring the situation.

Pesco also appealed to consumers to cooperate with it and report power outages on the company’s helpline 118.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2025