Six people, including two minors, were killed and five others, including a woman, sustained injuries when lightning struck different areas of Punjab, rescue officials said on Sunday.
According to the officials, two people died on the spot in lightning incidents in and around Narowal. They were identified as Muhammad Siddique, 70, a resident of Ghaziwal Colony and Bilal, 20, a resident of village of Kanon.
Among the injured, they added, were Naseer, 30, a resident of village Kotli Ramdas and Abdul Rahman, 22, a resident of village Chailiwali. Officials said that four people died and three others were injured in separate lightning incidents in Pasrur and Shikargarh.
According to the rescue officials, the injured sustained serious burn injuries, adding that they were referred to Lahore for further treatment after giving them first-aid at the government hospitals in their areas.
The lightning incidents occurred ahead of warning of pre-monsoon rains in several parts of the country. Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman said that heavy rain might cause urban flooding and trigger landslides in mountainous areas.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), scattered rainfall and thunderstorms were expected throughout the week till June 30 in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).
Similarly, rain might lash Sindh, Balochistan and Southern Punjab from June 26 to June 29. Flash floods were also feared in Dera Ghazi Khan and adjoining areas of northeast Balochistan on June 27, it added.
