Heavy pre-monsoon downpours in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province have resulted in at least ten fatalities due to lightning strikes, according to officials on Monday. The incidents primarily occurred on Sunday in the Sialkot and Sheikhupura districts. Lightning strikes are a common occurrence throughout Pakistan, particularly in the mountainous and plain regions of Punjab.
Image caption: Lightning illuminates the sky during a thunderstorm in Karachi, Pakistan, on August 12, 2022. (Photo credit: ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)
The Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasts additional rainfall this week, offering potential relief from the persistent heatwave. However, the National Disaster Management Authority has issued a warning about the possibility of flash floods resulting from the ongoing rains.
Pakistan faces annual challenges with monsoon seasons, often drawing criticism for inadequate government preparedness. The monsoon season typically spans from July to September. Last summer's monsoon-induced floods resulted in a tragic loss of 1,739 lives, displacing approximately 8 million people and causing an estimated $30 billion in damages.
