CHARSADDA: A worker of a private internet service provider died of electric shock after rain coupled with windstorms caused widespread disruption of power supply and communication infrastructure in Charsadda, South Waziristan and Mohmand districts on Wednesday.
Multiple electricity poles were uprooted and transmission lines damaged in different areas of Charsadda, resulting in a complete suspension of power supply across the region.
The Peshawar Electric Supply Company officials said repair work on damaged supply lines was ongoing in the affected areas.
Residents also complained that the absence of timely preventive measures and poor emergency response further aggravated the situation.
Windstorm also destroys two houses, solar panels in Waziristan, Mohmand
Meanwhile, sources within the power sector said a major fault at the Mardan grid station was also one of the reasons behind the prolonged electricity outage in Charsadda and adjoining areas. They said technical teams were actively working to repair the fault and restore supply at the earliest.
Residents and traders’ associations urged the Pesco high-ups and the district administration to take urgent steps for immediate restoration of electric supply.
Meanwhile, a worker of a private internet service provider died after receiving a fatal electric shock while performing duty near the PTCL office on the Nowshera Road. The deceased, identified as Suleman, a resident of the Utmanzai area, was engaged in repairing fiber optic cables when he inadvertently came into contact with an 11,000-volt electricity line allegedly connected to a nearby transformer.
Rescue teams and residents shifted the body to the hospital for legal formalities.
In Upper South Waziristan, heavy rain coupled with strong winds caused widespread damage in Huzar area of Kaniguram tehsil, destroying two houses, local officials and residents said.
They said the area was hit by a sudden spell of intense rainfall and powerful windstorm that wreaked havoc within a short period. Two houses suffered extensive damage when the strong winds ripped off their iron-sheet roofs and hurled them far from the structures. The walls of both houses also collapsed, leaving the buildings uninhabitable.
The affected families suffered significant financial losses and were left without shelter following the incident.
In Mohmand district, hundreds of rooftop solar panels were damaged on Wednesday after heavy rain coupled with a windstorm and hailstones hit several areas.
According to local officials, the worst damage occurred in Halimzai tehsil, where the Autokhel, Zubaida Kor and Kamali Ghazi Baig areas bore the brunt of the hailstorm. Residents said the downpour and windstorm shattered solar panels installed on the rooftops of several homes.
In Safi tehsil, the hailstorm and rain brought a welcome drop in temperature, turning the weather pleasant in areas like Sagi, residents said.
Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2026