KARACHI: At least two people killed on Wednesday evening as parts of Karachi were hit by a massive dust storm accompanied by strong winds plunging the city into darkness.
According to rescue officials, two people died while many were injured after walls collapsed in two separate incidents in Gulistan-i-Jauhar and Gulshan-i-Maymar areas.
Separately, in Ganjal Goth area of the city, eight people including children were wounded after the rooftop of a house collapsed.
Meanwhile, a massive fire, caused by heavy winds, broke out in Surjani Town during the dust storm. Rescue officials and firefighters rushed to the site to extinguish the fire.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah instructed Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Shallwani to exercise all possible means to bring the fire under control and minimise the loss of life.
According to details, strong winds also blew in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, University Road, North Karachi, Saddar, Defence, and adjoining areas.
According to the meteorological department, Western disturbances were passing through the country. The met office also predicted thunderstorms with lightning. Storm cells have formed in the city’s northern areas.
The strong windstorm lashed the city around 8.05 pm and as per Met office, the sandstorms had a speed between 54 and 74 kilometres per hour.
The sudden windstorm brought with it power outages in various neighbourhoods, including Saddar, Lyari, Malir, New Karachi, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Korangi.
People could be seen running for shelter as visibility fell to near zero across the city. Commuters were caught unaware and cars came to a standstill due to the heavy wind.
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