Many areas of the country, especially Punjab, witnessed pleasant weather conditions yesterday amidst the past few days of intense heat. Parts of the province got some respite with rains, which helped bring the temperatures down.
However, before these rains started, Punjab had to contend with a freak sandstorm across several areas, making many people go over social media with pictures and videos that depicted the sudden change of weather.
Citizens in Lahore were left stunned as a sandstorm engulfed the whole city in a matter of seconds. Heavy gusts of wind shattered windows of a few buildings in the provincial capital as well.
Power Goes Out
The city soon plunged into darkness as the power supply was cut. This happened right after the sandstorm approached the provincial metropolis before Iftar time. According to some reports, power supply in many areas of Lahore is yet to be restored.
People Express Shock and Worry
Over at Facebook and Twitter, many people couldn’t resist sharing images of how the sandstorm took over the city in mere moments.
Take a look at some of the pictures and people’s reaction from yesterday’s sandstorm as temperatures dropped from 40°C to 24°C.
You can clearly see in this photo how the weather completely changed in just four minutes.
Via Ahmad Awais
Climate change is real and this is not going to get better unless we do something about it:
I've never seen a storm like this in Lahore ever. Climate change is real! Believe it or not it will get worse and worse if we don't act now! #ClimateChangeIsReal #Lahoresandstorm pic.twitter.com/kTpE7Gve7Z
— Raza (@razaziaawan) June 5, 2018
15 mins before sunset time aka iftar time aka maghrib. Ya Allah khair#sandstorm #home #lahore #beforesunset pic.twitter.com/HheZd4kjx2
— Mahum Khan (@MayhemActivated) June 5, 2018
Guys this is Lahore right now
Only 7 pm but looks like midnight #Sandstorm pic.twitter.com/UI3BSyEmuZ— Waleed ali (@waleedalit) June 5, 2018
The visibility reached near zero at one point.
Lahore ISD Motorway during day time, this is much better view but trust me couldn’t see any thing,,, #WeatherUpdate #Sandstorm pic.twitter.com/RVIYWCFKTO
— Arsy (@arslanamin1) June 5, 2018
This is Lahore’s version of Interstellar.
Lahore sand Storm #Lahore #Sandstorm pic.twitter.com/hmHdQvDVP0
— adeelrajput786 (@Adeelad56701817) June 5, 2018
Amen.
https://twitter.com/AliAbbasSidd/status/1004003736648343552
Most of us are wondering the same:
Now where did this sandstorm come from all of a sudden? #Lahore
— Tayyaba (@tabbyze) June 5, 2018
Sand storm in lahore #sandstorm pic.twitter.com/HScBNF847s
— Dr Mudassar Ranjha (@dr_ranjha) June 5, 2018
This video accurately captures how people are seen taking shelter as the storm approaches the city.
Here are some more photos from yesterday in Lahore that show how scary the sandstorm was.
Injuries and Casualties
As any as 4 people, including 2 minors, lost their lives as visibility reached zero in the area.
About 17 people were reported to be injured as well. Two PIA aircraft were grounded for inspection at the Lahore Airport after the storm resulted in damage to the planes.
water crisis, sandstorms. happens when we disrespect Mother Earth.
I can foresee Interstellar like thing in near future. Futures makes me worry now :(
this thing is pretty common in summer in multan and bahawalpur. they call it Kali Aandhi. They also have Laal (Red) Aandhi which is the worst aandhi. becuase in laal aandhi dust is on the ground level.
Sab muskim h lakin soch angrezoo wali, koe ni kahe ga apne gunah h toba kro sab, bas ye hua wo hua, bhen k bhaio apne apni fikar kro or toba kro