The Director General of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has revealed that the majority of damage from the recent dust storm and strong winds in the province was caused by dislodged solar panels.
Speaking after the weather event, he confirmed that 110 people were injured across Punjab during the storm. While rainfall had been forecast, its severity caught many by surprise. He noted that around 80 percent of the destruction was linked to rooftop solar panels being uprooted due to inadequate installation.
Authorities have urged residents to ensure proper and secure mounting of solar systems to avoid future risks. The official warned that with climate change, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. While global temperatures have increased by 1–2°C, Pakistan is witnessing sharp rises of up to 4–5°C, leading to more frequent heatwaves and storms.
Read More: 14 Dead, Dozens Injured as Extreme Weather Hits Punjab, KP, AJK
He highlighted the urgent need for environmental measures such as tree plantation and regulating urban growth to help manage rising temperatures.
Hospitals across Punjab have been directed to prepare for heatstroke cases as temperatures continue to climb.
In Lahore, the storm plunged parts of the city into early darkness, while strong winds uprooted several solar panels, damaging buildings and vehicles in multiple areas.