PESHAWAR - Downpour followed by hailstorm Friday played havoc with Peshawar, killing 16 people and injuring more than five dozen.
Most of the casualties were a result of collapsing buildings and walls in Lewane Baba Nothia, Faqirabad, Wazri Bagh, Lahori Gate, Phandu, Barisko, Ladny Sarak, Dir Colony and other areas.
Four students were killed when roof of a seminary caved in at Akhunabad. Ten students sustained wounds in the collapse. They were rushed to the Lady Reading Hospital.
A house collapsed in Lewni Baba left two people critically injured critically while another four were injured in a wall-fall at Faqeerabad. Another house was collapsed in Wazir Bagh area where two persons were injured and shifted to the Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. Another house was damaged in Phando area where four persons were injured.
According to a private TV channel, Peshawar Assistant Commissioner confirmed the number of casualties.
People facing hardships due to the rain complained that they felt abandoned as entire KP cabinet, including Chief Minister Khattak, was busy with their 'Azadi March' and so far no PTI leader could reach the spot or hospital to inquire after the victims.
Rescuers are facing problems due to choked roads, and traffic jams and expressed fears that the death-toll may increase.
Severe hail storms hit parts of the Peshawar on Friday evening playing havoc with life and properties in Akhundabad, Gujjarabad, Wazirbagh, Faqirabad and other areas of the city.
Earlier, Rescue 1122 personnel confirmed that they had reports of at least 11 people dying and more than 50 others injured during the heavy downpour.
Edhi sources had however said, the death toll might be higher as the rescue workers were still busy in rescue activities.
The families of the victims have castigated the authorities and the government for irresponsible behavior, as many people are still stranded in the rain-ravaged areas.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner, Peshawar's office said the concerned 'patwaris' and revenue officers have been directed to assess the life and property losses. Deputy Commissioner Zaheerul Islam's official statement said an emergency was declared in all hospitals to meet any untoward incident due to further rains.
Downpour with 40km per hour windstorm started around 3:00pm, followed by hailstorm. According to the meteorological office, more rain is expected in the coming 24 hours.
The windstorm also resulted in falling of trees on heavy electric lines, causing disrupting of power supply to major parts of the city.
Lahore Reporter adds: Rain/thundershower also occurred at isolated places of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Malakand, Hazara, , Kohat divisions, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
With thundershowers soaking route of Azadi and Inqlab marches, experts have forecast more rains with isolated heavy falls for parts of the country including the federal capital till coming Sunday.
Experts are seeing further decrease in the intensity of muggy weather with more monsoon rains in the upper parts of the country till Sunday.
Rain/thundershower accompanied by windstorm with isolated heavy falls is expected in Islamabad, upper Punjab (Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha divisions), Khyber PK (Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, D I Khan divisions), Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan during the next couple of days. Rain/thundershower is also expected at isolated places of Faisalabad, Zhob, Quetta, Kallat, Mirpurkhas and Karachi divisions.
Seasonal low lies over North Balochistan and adjoining areas with its trough extending northeastwards. Moderate monsoon currents are penetrating upper parts of the country. A fresh western disturbance is also affecting upper parts.
On Friday, Balakot received 65 mm rain, Puttan 32 mm, Chirat 23 mm, Gilgit 20 mm, Kohat 15 mm, Murree 14 mm, Peshawar and Abbotabad 10 mm each, Dir 09 mm, Islamabad 07 mm, Saidu Sharif 05 mm, Bonji and Kalam 03 mm each, Sialkot and Hunza 02 mm each.