LAHORE: At least 19 people died while about 75 were injured as the heavy windstorm followed by rain battered various districts of central and southern Punjab on Saturday evening.

Three persons died each in Lahore and Jhelum, two each in Sialkot and Muzaffargarh and one person each in Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Sialkot, Multan, Rajanpur, Hafizabad, Mianwali, Jhang and Layyah as the walls and roofs of the houses collapsed and trees fell on them, according to the data provided by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and Rescue 1122. About two dozen incidents of fall of solar panels and billboards were also reported.

In Lahore, strong winds uprooted trees. Due to the heavy storm and rain in the city, Rescue 1122 received six emergency calls regarding people falling from rooftops. Three persons lost their lives, while six others sustained serious injuries and were provided emergency medical care before being transported to various hospitals of the provincial metropolis. The deceased included Zahid who died after falling from the third floor of an under-construction house in Jazac City, Multan Road, and 60-year-old Nazeer who died after fall from his rooftop.

According to Rescue 1122 sources, two minor girls, aged five and six, died after falling into a fish farm in the Langar Sarai area of Muzaffargarh during the windstorm. They were running in the heavy winds when they fell into the pond. In Multan, a woman died after a wall fell on her in the Budhla Sant area.

In the provincial metropolis, the injured included two labourers, 38-year-old Naveed and 45-year-old Ramzan, who suffered severe injuries after falling from the rooftop of an under-construction house in Park View City, Multan Road. Twenty-one years old Ali Hasan fell from the third floor of a house in LDA city, Raiwind Road, 16-year-old Ameer fell from the first floor of his house on Barki Road, 55-year-old Kubra Bibi was hit by a collapsing wall due to strong winds near Indus Hospital, Raiwind, and 50-year-old Ramzan sustained serious injuries at Chungi Amar Sidhu. The injured were shifted to THQ Hospital Raiwind, Jinnah Hospital, Indus Hospital, Lahore General Hospital and Services Hospital.

Among the injured most of them were reported from Jhelum where 32 people suffered injuries in various incidents.

Several locations reported fallen trees due to the windstorm but no injuries were reported in such incidents. Rescue 1122 teams are clearing roads by removing the trees.

Mango orchards in Multan and other parts of south Punjab were also damaged by the heavy windstorm and there are reports that it would damage the mango production this year as the fruit is about harvested these days.

Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabil Javed has directed authorities to ensure the best medical care for the injured.

Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General (DG) Irfan Ali Kathia urged the authorities to remain alert and asked the citizens to stay away from electric poles and hanging wires. He said the situation was being monitored 24/7 by the PDMA control room.

“Stay in safe places to avoid lightning. Never stay in open places during bad weather and lightning. Avoid unnecessary travel and drive slowly,” he said.

PDMA spokesperson Mazhar Hussain said, “The public can call PDMA helpline 1129 for assistance.”

National Highway and Motorway Police spokesperson Syed Imran Ahmed said M-2 from Thokar to Kot Momin, M-3 from Faizpur to Darkhana and Lahore-Sialkot Motorway (M-11) were all closed due to severe weather conditions and rain.

“Motorways were closed to ensure public safety and safe travel,” he added. However, later all these motorways were opened for traffic.

Wasa DG Ghufran Ahmed said, “All staff and machinery were instructed to remain on full alert. Pumps and staff will remain ready at all underpasses.”

The Met Office warned of similar weather in parts of Punjab, advising residents to remain cautious.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2025