Lahore: The severe storm and rain in different parts of the country have once again exposed the weaknesses of the country’s natural disaster management system. Storms and hailstorms caused loss of life and property in several cities of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Kashmir. The storm in Lahore plunged the entire city into darkness; trees and signboards fell on the roads, while solar panels were also blown away in many places. International standard facilities were damaged in the Gaddafi Stadium, which raised questions about the government’s planning.
In Peshawar, Abbottabad, Charsadda, and Swat, the rain with strong winds not only damaged crops but also caused water to enter houses in many areas. The Neelum Highway was closed after a landslide in the Neelum Valley.
According to the PDMA report, most of the dead were people who were in dilapidated buildings or open spaces. Pictures of the affected areas are going viral on social media, showing scenes of devastation. Citizens have demanded that despite the warnings of the Meteorological Department, the responsibility for the losses be placed on the field officers and that preventive measures be ensured in the future.
