BAHAWALPUR, June 18: A strong windstorm and rain lashed the city and its suburbs at dusk on Sunday. The windstorm of 60 to 70km an hour velocity uprooted scores of trees in many localities and made boundary walls in slums (katchi abadis) to collapse. Electricity supply and telephone system, too, collapsed in most parts of the city.

As power supply could not be restored till late in the evening, shopkeepers and traders had to wind up their business quite early. Many areas plunged into darkness.

Several people complained that the Multan Electric Supply Company officials were not ready to listen to any complaint.

When contacted, an official said the windstorm had uprooted many poles and it would take time to restore the power supply.