6 killed, over 50 injured as heavy rains lashes NW Pakistan

At least six people were killed and 50 others injured in separate rain-triggered accidents in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said Wednesday.

Six houses were also destroyed as torrential rains coupled with winds played havoc in provincial capital of Peshawar and adjoining districts Tuesday night.

Most of the causalities happened due to roof collapse incidents and falling of trees and signboards, and scores of mud houses were partially destroyed in the storm, local reports said.

The windstorm also caused a disruption of electricity, and a complete blackout was witnessed in many areas of Peshawar and other districts.

PDMA spokesperson Taimoor Khan said that the situation is under control and electricity has been restored after repair of the power transmission lines.

The country's east Punjab province and capital Islamabad also witnessed a dust storm and sporadic rains. However no casualty was reported by officials or local media.

Talking to Xinhua, officials from Pakistan Metrological Department said that an average wind of 60 km per hour was reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa whereas 20mm rain was recorded averagely in the province.

The officials said that the same weather pattern is feared to extend till mid-April, adding that such patterns are normal during the transition period of weather from winter to summer and vice versa in the country.

The windstorm is feared to affect the standing crop of wheat, which is nearing harvest season in the province, the officials added.