Pre-monsoon rain and hail injure 12, damage homes in Balochistan

DERA MURAD JAMALI: A heavy pre-monsoon spell accompanied by thunderstorms and hail left 12 people injured in parts of Balochistan on Wednesday and caused widespread damage in and around Dera Murad Jamali, according to reports.

The injured included four women and two children. They were shifted to government and private hospitals for treatment.

The weather system also brought relief from the intense heatwave that had gripped the region. Rain was reported in Dera Bugti, Sui and other areas, while people in parts of Bolan and Jhal Magsi also experienced lower temperatures after the downpour.

Homes and infrastructure damaged

Despite the drop in temperature, the storm caused extensive destruction in Dera Murad Jamali, Manjhoti, Mir Hassan, Tambo, Balan, Shakh Sikandarabad, Notal and nearby localities. Several mud houses collapsed after their roofs and walls gave way during the rain and hailstorm.

Strong winds also uprooted trees, brought down signboards and damaged a number of electricity poles. The damage has raised concerns about prolonged power outages in Dera Murad Jamali and adjoining areas.

The affected areas saw damage to homes and public infrastructure as the storm moved through the district and surrounding localities. The combination of rain, hail and gusty winds disrupted normal life in several places, even as residents welcomed respite from the severe heat.

Officials assess losses

Local administration officials and police teams visited the affected areas to review the losses caused by the rain, storm and hail. The visits were carried out as authorities began assessing the extent of the damage in the worst-hit localities.

The pre-monsoon weather spell affected multiple parts of Balochistan, but the most significant impact reported on Wednesday was in and around Dera Murad Jamali, where injuries and structural damage were recorded.

Rainfall in Dera Bugti, Sui, Bolan and Jhal Magsi brought relief to residents facing high temperatures, but in Dera Murad Jamali and nearby settlements the same system resulted in collapsed mud houses, damaged power infrastructure and injuries to residents.

Officials continued to examine the affected areas after the storm, while the injured remained under treatment at government and private hospitals.