Following deadly wind and rainstorms over the weekend, Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has called for stricter rules on solar panel installations, citing safety concerns.
The appeal came after intense weather conditions caused the deaths of at least 19 people and injured over 90 in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Officials revealed that around 70 percent of the fatalities were linked to falling solar panels or related structures that had not been securely installed.
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In formal letters to the Energy Department, Local Government Department, and senior administrators, PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia urged immediate action. He stressed that rooftop and standalone solar panels must meet approved engineering standards and be built with certified materials to withstand extreme weather.
The PDMA also recommended urgent surveys to identify unsafe installations and called for regular inspections and maintenance. The authority emphasized that all solar panel structures should be technically sound, structurally stable, and officially approved before use.
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Officials believe that timely regulation and enforcement could prevent future accidents, protect both lives and property, and support the continued growth of solar energy in the province.
The PDMA’s warning comes as storms are becoming more frequent, adding urgency to building safety concerns.