Storms Kill 32, Injure Over 150 Across Pakistan After Intense Heatwave

At least 32 people have died and more than 150 have been injured across Pakistan during a week of powerful storms following a severe heatwave, according to official reports. Authorities on Friday confirmed five new fatalities, adding to the growing toll from collapsing structures and extreme weather events.

The latest deaths occurred on Thursday in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where strong winds and heavy rains affected multiple districts. Among the five victims was a child, as confirmed by the provincial disaster management authority.

Pakistan’s Meteorological Department has forecast that stormy weather will continue across northern and central parts of the country until Saturday, raising concerns over further damage and casualties.

Earlier in the week, 10 people were killed on Tuesday and 14 on Saturday due to violent windstorms hitting various parts of the country. On Wednesday, three children lost their lives in Hyderabad, located in Sindh province, following similar weather conditions.

Most of the casualties were linked to collapsing walls and roofs, though at least two individuals were reportedly killed after being struck by solar panels dislodged by high winds.

Pakistan experiences such deadly storms annually, but this year has seen an unusually high frequency of extreme weather events. The storms were preceded by a harsh heatwave in May, following an abnormally warm April and a dry winter. Temperatures soared to six degrees Celsius above normal, with some areas recording above 48°C (118°F).