Urooj Niazi 
severe hailstorm in islamabad causes widespread damage to city
On Wednesday afternoon, an incredibly strong hailstorm hit Islamabad, causing widespread destruction across the entire city as large hailstones pelted the city for about 35 minutes. The sudden hailstorm in Islamabad left the residents running for shelter, while vehicles, solar panels, and buildings suffered considerable damage.
“The hailstorm in Islamabad was something we have never experienced recently,” said one affected resident.
“What with the strong winds and the hailstorm today, it made for complete chaos in terms of weather for Islamabad.”
The weather in Islamabad changed rather dramatically, as strong winds accompanied the hailstones uprooting trees in the Tarnol area, causing diversions on traffic.
Many Islamabad weather watchers were taken by surprise with children playing outdoors and fleeing somewhere in panic. The hail gave relief from the recent hot spell but also led to disrupting power supplies and restoration works being in place.
“The extent of damage caused by the hail is being assessed,” the deputy commissioner’s office confirmed reports of broken windows in vehicles and homes in various areas. Local civic bodies were mobilized for the drainage of water that accumulated following the hailstorm.
The impact of the hailstorm varied significantly:
- Some areas experienced intense hail, while Rawalpindi’s Racecourse Road reported only rain
- Flash floods in Chilas resulted in one child’s death following the severe weather
- The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium faced rain but was spared the hailstorm ahead of a scheduled PSL match
Sherry Rehman, ex-minister of climate change, has attributed today’s extreme weather in Islamabad to climate change, stating the hail was falling “like pellets” and linked to anthropogenic emissions.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Disaster Management Authority has activated emergency response measures and is ready to handle anticipated flooding in several districts after the hailstorm occurred in Islamabad and adjacent areas.
Further unstable weather and the chance of another hailstorm prevail in forecasts, likely until April 20.
