DADU/HYDERABAD/NAWAB-SHAH/MITHI: A dust storm followed by rainfall across several districts in the interior of southern Sindh left at least two persons dead and many others injured on Thursday.

High velocity winds crippled network of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) and blew away roofs of many thatched houses, besides uprooting a number of trees and hoardings, in Dadu, Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar and adjoining districts.

Lightning struck Dolo Jokhio village of Dadu district killing a 40-year-old man, Sulaiman Jokhio. A 12-year-old boy, Kabeer, son of Atta Mohammad Palari, died from the injuries he suffered after the roof of the family’s house collapse in Shaukat Palari village. Three other children, Qadir, Sajnan and Muneer were injured in the incident.

Roofs of at least eight thatched house collapsed in the Kohistan area of Jamshoro district. No human deaths were reported but five animals were reported killed in one such incident in Thana Ahmed Khan village.

Hyderabad division received light rain that had followed a dust storm. The speed of northwesterly winds was recorded at 42 to 45 kilometres per hour. The winds continued to sweep through the region for about 30 minutes.

Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar and Tharparkar districts also experienced dust storm, thunderstorm and rainfall on Thursday. A moderate spell of rain continued for more than half an hour.

Mithi, Islamkot, Nagarparkar and other areas of Tharparkar district received moderate to heavy rainfall. A maximum of 48mm rain was recorded in Diplo area of the district following dust storm and thunderstorm that hit the entire desert region.

The power transmission system of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) was badly affected by the high velocity winds. In Hyderabad, power supply through 166 feeders was suspended. Of them, 65 belonged to the Hyderabad city alone. By 10pm, a Hesco spokesman claimed, 44 out of the 135 11kv feeders of the city were re-energised.

A rainfall of 0.6mm was recorded at Met’s Airport office while its city office recorded only 1mm of rain.

In Jamshoro district, more than 10 poles collapsed which led to suspension of power supply to a vast area, including Nooriabad.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2024