Violent storm in Pakistan’s Punjab kills 9, injures nearly 100

A violent rain and dust storm swept across Pakistan’s Punjab province on Saturday evening, with authorities reporting at least nine deaths and 97 injuries.

The storm triggered 117 emergency responses in 26 districts, causing 34 structural collapses, 31 fires, and 29 incidents involving fallen electrical poles and trees.

Eleven people were also injured after falling from heights due to strong winds.

In Multan, powerful winds caused a wall to collapse, killing a woman.

“We received a call from Budhla Sant about a wall collapse due to high winds,” said a Rescue 1122 spokesperson.

“We found that the woman had died at the scene. The local police responded, but the family refused to transfer the body to Nishtar Hospital,” the spokesperson added.

The hardest-hit district was Jhelum, with 16 emergencies and 20 victims, including 16 hospitalized. Lahore reported six emergencies, eight victims, and one death.

Other affected districts included Bahawalnagar (10 emergencies), Rawalpindi (14), and Nankana Sahib (15). These areas saw fires, structural collapses, fallen trees, and signboards.

Kasur, Lodhran, and Sargodha reported minor injuries and rescue operations but no deaths.

In total, 67 people were hospitalized, 21 received first aid on site, and two died in road accidents linked to the storm.

In Lahore, the provincial capital, four people fell from the roofs due to strong winds.

Two men, Naveed, 38, and Ramzan, 45, fell from the third floor of an under-construction home. Both received first aid at the scene and were taken to Jinnah Hospital.

Ali Hassan, 21, also fell from his home’s third floor and was moved to Indus Hospital, Jubilee Town.

Zahid, 40, died after falling from the third floor while constructing a house.

“The deceased was pronounced dead at the scene and taken to Farooq Hospital, Thokar Niaz Baig,” said Rescue 1122.

A teenager, Umair, 16, fell from the first floor of his home and was seriously injured. He was transferred to Services Hospital.

Emergency services remain on high alert.

“We advise the public to avoid exposed structures, stay indoors, and follow safety protocols during extreme weather,” a Rescue 1122 official said.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department warns of continued unstable weather in the coming days.