Powerful storm kills 15 in Pakistan’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province

Peshawar / Islamabad: At least 15 people have been killed and 125 others were injured by a powerful windstorm, accompanied by rain, sweeping through Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, besides the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Nine died in the twin cities, while six died in different cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reports the Express Tribune.

The heavy rains also affected Federally Administered Tribal Areas, including in Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan and Khyber Agency.

The fatalities were mainly caused by falling trees, signboards and electricity poles and roof-collapse incidents.

So far, damage to property has yet to be assessed.

According to reports, gusty winds blew at a speed of 148km/h and 120km/h in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, respectively.

The storm lasted for 25 to 30 minutes at different places, a duration considered to be dangerous by weather experts.

Due to the storm, normal life has been out gear and several domestic flights at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport were either delayed or suspended.(ANI)