‘Mini-cyclone’ kills 45 in Pak

A ‘mini-cyclone’ coupled with torrential rains tore through northwest Pakistan’s Peshawar Valley, killing at least 45 people and injuring 200 others, half of them children, and bringing down houses and electric poles, officials said on Monday.

The freak storm that hit Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and adjoining areas late yesterday collapsed buildings, and uprooted trees and electric poles as it brought heavy rains and winds of more than 120 kph.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the storm in the province was the third worst natural disaster of its kind in the history of the country. It said the storm was now over and regular rains will continue.

In Peshawar, 31 people were killed while nine others perished in Charsadda and five in Nowshehra districts of Peshawar Valley, Provincial Minister for Information Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani said addressing a press conference here.

He said 36 injured are being treated in hospitals while others were discharged after treatment.

More than 200 people have been injured due to rain- related incidents, with some reports saying as many as 100 children were among those who suffered injuries.

Several families have been affected as roofs of their houses collapsed.

Wind blowing at at least 120 kph caused the catastrophe, PMD Director Muhammad Haneef said, adding that the unusual storm caused tornadoes.

Relief operations were on in full swing in the affected areas, he said, adding that 10 relief teams supported by Pakistan Army have been trying to provide humanitarian assistance to the victims.