Rain, hailstorm, lightning kill four in Balochistan

QUETTA: Torrential rain, hailstorms, and lightning strikes across various regions of Balochistan have left at least four people dead and resulted in the death of hundreds of livestock, officials confirmed. The storms have also caused significant damage to crops in several areas.

According to the Meteorological Department, over the past two days, areas including Sherani, Zhob, Killa Saifullah, Barkhan, Musakhel, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Khuzdar, Naseerabad, Jaffarabad, Sohbatpur, Jhal Magsi, and Usta Muhammad have experienced strong winds, thunder, heavy rainfall, and hail. Intermittent rain continues in some locations.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported multiple lightning strikes in Zhob, Musakhel, Barkhan, Khuzdar, and Kohlu. In Khuzdar’s Sarona area alone, lightning killed at least 140 livestock. Musakhel reported 50–60 animal deaths, and 40–50 were killed in Kohlu. According to Musakhel Levies, a man named Rozuddin was killed by lightning in the village of Zor Miran. In Union Council Rarah Sham, a child drowned during a flash flood. In the village of Olmai, lightning killed 30 sheep belonging to Akhtar Malizai.

Severe hail in Barkhan damaged wheat crops. In the Hasni area of Barkhan, one person was injured, and two cows were killed by lightning. In the village of Gazkhar in Jhal Magsi, strong winds caused a house roof to collapse, killing 30 goats. In Zhob’s Killi Tora Dargah, a 10-year-old boy named Khan Baz died after being struck by lightning. In Khuzdar’s Karakh Tehsil, a child drowned in a water channel. Dozens of livestock were also killed by lightning in the Sarona area. Affected families have appealed to the government for compensation. Strong winds and rain disrupted power supply in Kohlu and Usta Muhammad. In Goth Ismail Khan, Sohbatpur, a lightning strike sparked a fire in nearby fields, damaging crops.

The Meteorological Department recorded 15 mm of rain in Muslim Bagh, 10 mm in Usta Muhammad, 6 mm in Barkhan, and 1 mm in Zhob over the past 24 hours. The highest temperature was recorded in Turbat at 45.5°C, followed by 40°C in Sibi and 30°C in Quetta. The department has forecast that weather in most districts of Balochistan will remain hot and partly cloudy on Tuesday, with strong winds expected. However, more rain is predicted in Khuzdar, Kachhi, Surab, Quetta, Pishin, Killa Abdullah, Dera Bugti, Lasbela, Ziarat, Kalat, Harnai, Loralai, Killa Saifullah, Zhob, Musakhel, Barkhan, and Kohlu.