Hailstorm wreaks havoc on cars, trees, traffic in Islamabad, KP

A powerful hailstorm hit Islamabad and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday afternoon, causing significant damage. The storm lasted about 35 minutes and brought strong winds and large hailstones that smashed car windows, damaged solar panels, and broke tree branches.

In areas like Tarnol, the storm uprooted trees and created traffic problems. Flash flooding also occurred in some low-lying areas, putting pressure on drainage systems and surprising many commuters.

Some politicians shared their experiences online, describing the storm as both intense and surprisingly refreshing, especially given the recent hot weather.

At the same time, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned of more extreme weather ahead. It said that heatwaves are expected to grow stronger in the coming weeks, raising the risk of wildfires in hilly and forested areas like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, the Potohar region, and Murree.

The NDMA’s forecast for April to June predicts higher-than-usual temperatures and less rainfall across the country. Cyclones could also develop in the Arabian Sea during May and June, possibly affecting nearby coastal regions.

Southern parts of the country — including Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan — are expected to be the hardest hit by extreme heat, with temperatures possibly reaching 45°C in cities like Karachi, Badin, Larkana, Umerkot, Tharparkar, and Matiari. Other areas such as Sukkur, Shikarpur, Dadu, Sanghar, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Lahore are also likely to face very hot conditions.

In the northern regions like Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, the intense heat could lead to glacial melting and dangerous flooding. The combination of high temperatures and less rain could harm agriculture, reduce water supply, and affect food security across the country.

The NDMA has advised people to avoid going out in the sun during peak hours and take steps to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses. Staying cautious can help reduce the health risks during this extreme summer weather.