KARACHI: At least four persons were killed and several others injured as powerful dust storm hit the metropolis Sunday night and continued Monday morning.
About 23 people have been shifted so far, four of them including little girl succumbed to injuries, head of the emergency at JPMC Dr. Seemi Jamali said.
Incidents of wall and roof collapses have been reported in Korangi, Landhi, Malir, Lyari, PECHS, Peoples Chowrangi and Surjani Town.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Winds blew at a speed of 40km/h while the level of humidity in the air is about 42%.
“A western wind system is present in the city and winds are expected to blow at high speeds today as well,” PMD Director Sardar Sarfaraz said.
“The western wind system will leave from the city by tomorrow evening,” he added.
The sudden dust storm came with howling gales and hampered visibility on numerous major roads. The wind was so strong that it ripped off tin walls and knocked out power cables in some localities, cutting off electricity.
A man died as a tree fell on him near Peoples Chowrangi, while two children were killed in separate incidents. Five students were injured and rushed to a nearby hospital as the roof of their school located on Tipu Sultan Road collapsed, rescue sources said.
Two people were injured in Landhi No 3 as a part of a wall of their house collapsed while in Sarjani Town No 7, two people were injured as the roof of their house collapsed, rescue sources said.
The imam of a mosque at the fish harbour was injured as the mosque’s makeshift roof collapsed, sources added.
