Tragedy struck across southern Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan as a series of lightning strikes claimed the lives of at least 18 individuals over the last two days.

In Rahim Yar Khan, six people fell victim to lightning strikes at various locations. Among them, a husband and wife lost their lives instantly while harvesting wheat in Basti Khokhran. They were identified as Hafeez, 45, and Kulsoon, 40.

Another tragedy befell a family in Basti Kalhora, where two minor siblings, aged nine and seven, died by the sudden bolt of lightning. Additionally, a man was killed in Thal Hassan, according to rescue officials, while labourer Muhammad Hassan Mohana, harvesting wheat in his fields in Chak 131-NP of Janpur, also died.

Similar incidents occurred in Bahawalpur, where lightning struck multiple locations, resulting in the death of a woman in Ahmedpur East and injuries to two others. Shaheena Bibi, 22, died, while 25-year-old Iqra Bibi and 70-year-old Karim Bakhsh were reportedly injured.

The injured were shifted to the hospital. The victims were all working in the fields when lightning struck.

In Yazman, a child tragically lost his life on the spot when lightning struck Chak No 113-DNB. The child was provided emergency medical aid by Rescue 1122, but he could not survive. Darshan Ram's body was handed over to his family.

Moreover, 12-year-old Abdul Majeed also died after being hit by lightning in Chak 108-DNB area of Cholistan, as per rescue officials. They said Majeed was working in the fields with his father and uncle during the rains.

So far, three people have died, and two injured due to lightning strikes across the district, added rescue officials.

In the Jatoi tehsil of Muzaffargarh district, a man, a baby girl and a cow were killed, with two other people sustaining injuries. In Basti Allah Bakhsh, Mujahid Gadara and a cow were killed in a lightning strike, while a child died and two people were injured in the Sultan area.

Not sparing Sindh either, lightning strikes resulted in fatalities, with one wheat harvester being burned alive in Kandhkot city of Kashmore district in Sindh.

In Balochistan, the devastation persisted for the second consecutive day, with lightning claiming one life in Dera Bugti and leaving a trail of destruction, including damage to 15 houses in Pishin.

Reasons behind frequent strikes

Speaking to Samaa TV, Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz said the combination of sea breezes with cold winds increases the chances of tornadoes and lightning. He said such incidents were more common in areas where the temperature rises quickly.

The frequency of these incidents is also increasing due to climate change, he explained, adding that as the temperature increases by one degree, the humidity in the air increases by seven to 10%.

Motorway accident

Meanwhile, three people were killed and 17 others were injured when a passenger bus overturned due to rain on Kallar Kahar Motorway.

The passenger bus was going to Fort Abbas from Islamabad when it skidded and overturned due to a slippery road because of the rain near Sambal.