MARDAN, July 12: At least 11 people were killed and over 52 injured when rain coupled with a severe storm lashed the district for two hours on Sunday night.

The storm which hit the area at around 7.15pm, uprooted trees, razed walls and damaged houses in different parts of the district. The wind also disrupted electricity supply.

Soon after the storm ended, people started taking the injured to the DHQ hospital and other health outlets in Mardan. However, no doctor was present at the hospital long after the windstorm ended.

The absence of doctors turned people angry who blocked the main road and raised slogans against the absent doctors. About 26 injured people, who suffered leg and hand injuries, remained unattended in the casualty department.

Five people were pronounced dead in the hospital in the late hours of Sunday, while six were reported dead on Monday morning. The number of casualties is feared to rise as the windstorm has played a havoc in the far-flung areas.