5 dead, 36 injured as dust storm, gusty winds grip Karachi

–CM Murad directs hospitals, police to take emergency measures

–Parts of Sindh likely to experience similar storms

KARACHI: At least five people died while 36 others were injured on Monday as gusty winds accompanied by a dust storm and light rain gripped parts of Karachi and adjoining areas.

Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) head Dr Seemi Jamali said that 36 people had been brought to the hospital with different injuries, one of whom had passed away last night.

Rescue 1122 sources said that a five-year-old girl was killed when the roof of a house in Haji Ibrahim Goth collapsed and another child was killed by a falling tree in People’s Chowrangi near Mazar-e-Quaid. Roof collapses were also reported in a seminary in Lyari’s Chakiwara, a house in Surjani Town and two schools. Additionally, a tree also fell on a van transporting prisoners near the old city courts lock up. Rescue teams were dispatched to the affected areas.

The blustery winds uprooted electricity poles and trees in different parts of the metropolis, leading to traffic congestion. Multiple traffic incidents were also reported along the Karachi-Quetta highway, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to many others. A police mobile, five passenger buses and a truck also flipped over due to strong winds.

Police, Levis and Edhi volunteers helped shift the injured to a nearby hospital where they were provided immediate first aid and then referred to Karachi for further treatment.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah directed the divisional commissioners to take care of the vulnerable residents of the city. He asked those who lived in vulnerable homes to be alert and cautious as the weather swings to different extremes. He also directed the municipal authorities to take all necessary steps to handle the situation. He also asked the deputy commissioners to assist them in this. The chief minister also directed public hospitals to improve their facilities and directed the police to assist the citizens of the metropolis.

Pakistan Meteorological Department had predicted that Karachi would receive light rain, thunderstorm and a dust storm on Monday due to the entrance of western disturbance in Sindh after it had already caused downpours in Balochistan and the rest of the country.

It is worth mentioning here that there is a great chance of a similar storm in other parts of Sindh. Sukkur, Larkana, Benazirabad, Hyderabad, and Karachi divisions are likely to be affected.