Deadly storms kill 18, injure nearly 100 across Pakistan

A storm hit multiple districts in Pakistan's Punjab province, leading to the collapse of dilapidated buildings and unsafe structures and killing 8 people and injuring 45 others, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

Out of eight, three deaths took place in Jhelum, while Rawalpindi, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Sialkot, and Mianwali each reported one fatality, ANI reported, citing Pakistani news site Geo News.

Meanwhile, one of the districts of Punjab province, Lahore, witnessed the death of 10 people and 51 injuries due to heavy rains and storms.

Several incidents of fallen trees and damaged solar panels were also reported. In response, Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz instructed the administration and rescue teams to remain on high alert amid severe weather conditions across the province.

A day earlier, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had issued a weather advisory, forecasting isolated showers, thunderstorms, windstorms, and dust storms over the next 12 to 36 hours in parts of Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Vulnerable areas included Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Lahore, and several surrounding districts. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, similar conditions were expected to impact regions such as Peshawar, Abbottabad, Mardan, and Dera Ismail Khan, according to Geo News.