ISLAMABAD: More than 20 people were killed by lightning strikes amid heavy rains and thunderstorms in Pakistan’s Punjab and Balochistan provinces, authorities said on Saturday.
The death toll from lightning strikes in Punjab’s Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Lodhran, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar districts has risen to 17, according to the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
PDMA Director-General Irfan Ali Kathia has directed deputy commissioners of these districts to provide best medical care to the injured persons.
“I am extremely sorry for the loss of human lives,” DG Kathia was quoted as saying by the PDMA. “Financial assistance will be provided to the families of the deceased.”
He said combating natural calamities was only possible through joint efforts and instructed all civic bodies to stay alert.
“The public is requested to stay in safe places during bad weather,” the official said. “Avoid unnecessary travel.”
In the southwestern Balochistan province, at least eight people were killed in similar incidents in Surab, Dera Bugti, Pishin and other areas, according to local media reports.
Rains, thunderstorms and gusty winds hit Balochistan, Punjab and Khyber Paktunkhwa (KP) provinces on Friday. Intermittent showers continued in these regions on Saturday.
In KP’s Lower Chitral district, a man died after roof of a house collapsed amid heavy rain, according to provincial authorities. The rains triggered landslides in multiple areas in the country’s northwest.
Pakistan has been prone to natural disasters and consistently ranks among one of the most adversely affected countries from the effects of climate change.
Last month, heavy rains in Pakistan’s Balochistan triggered urban floods in Gwadar and Kech districts, destroying nearly 100 homes and killing at least five people.
In 2022, torrential monsoon rains triggered the most devastating floods in Pakistan’s history, killing around 1,700 people. Over 33 million people were affected by the floodwaters — a staggering number close to the population of Canada.
Millions of homes, tens of thousands of schools as well as thousands of kilometers of roads and railways still need to be rebuilt.
More than 20 killed by lightning strikes in Pakistan’s Punjab, Balochistan
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More than 20 killed by lightning strikes in Pakistan’s Punjab, Balochistan
- The deaths occurred in Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Dera Bugti and Pishin
- Authorities advise masses to stay at safe places during bad weather, avoid unnecessary travel
Punjab tells court 17 killed during Basant kite-flying festival this month
- Report by provincial authorities says electrocution, rooftop falls among leading causes
- Festival was revived this year after nearly two decades of ban over safety concerns
ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government on Wednesday informed the Lahore High Court 17 people were killed in Lahore during the Feb. 6–8 Basant kite-flying festival, which was revived this year after nearly two decades of restrictions.
Basant, a traditional Punjabi spring festival marked by rooftop kite flying, was banned in Punjab after repeated fatalities linked to metallic or chemically treated kite strings, electrocution from power lines, rooftop falls and injuries to motorcyclists.
The provincial government revived the festival this year under regulatory measures that included restrictions on hazardous kite string and enforcement protocols aimed at preventing injuries.
“It is respectfully submitted that during kite flying festival 2025, 17 casualties have been reported in District Lahore due to electrocution (3), falling down from rooftop (12) and trees (2),” according to a supplementary report submitted in compliance with a court order dated Feb. 17.
The supplementary report was filed by provincial authorities in response to proceedings initiated by the Judicial Activism Panel against the Province of Punjab. Further hearings in the matter are expected before the Lahore High Court.
The government had banned metallic or chemical-coated killer strings for the Basant festival this year.
Kites and strings had to bear individual QR codes so they could be traced and motorcyclists had to attach safety rods to their bikes to fend off stray thread.
Some 4,600 producers registered with authorities to sell kites and strings, while rooftops with 30 or more revelers also had to be registered and dozens of roofs were declared off-limits after inspections.
