Key Points
- A sudden, violent hailstorm struck Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday, lasting 35 minutes and causing widespread destruction.
- Golf ball-sized hail shattered hundreds of car windshields, damaged solar panels, uprooted trees, and triggered flash floods in low-lying areas.
- Tarnol was the worst-hit locality, with roads blocked by fallen trees and power pylons; power outages and traffic chaos ensued citywide.
- At least five people lost their lives in Punjab and KP due to storm-related incidents; several others were injured.
- Experts and officials, including former climate minister Sherry Rehman, link the event to extreme weather volatility driven by climate change.
- The Pakistan Meteorological Department warns of more rain, storms, and possible cyclones in coming days.
Islamabad: A sudden and ferocious hailstorm pummeled Islamabad and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday, turning a hot afternoon into chaos and destruction. For 35 relentless minutes, golf ball-sized hailstones battered the city, shattering vehicle windshields, smashing solar panels, and uprooting trees across the capital and its outskirts.
Scenes of Destruction: Vehicles, Power, and Green Infrastructure Hit
Residents emerged after the storm to find their cars dented and windshields shattered, with parking lots and driveways resembling junkyards. Solar panels crucial for Islamabad’s green energy push were left in ruins, with both residential and commercial installations suffering heavy losses. In sectors like E-11, G-11, and F-10, twisted metal, broken glass, and debris littered the streets.
The Tarnol area bore the brunt, where strong winds uprooted trees and power pylons, blocking roads and disrupting traffic for hours. Flash floods inundated low-lying neighborhoods, submerging roads and homes, while power outages left thousands in the dark.
Human and Economic Toll
The storm’s impact was not limited to property. At least five people lost their lives in Punjab and KP, including a soldier and two children swept away by flash floods in Chilas. Several others were injured in rain-related accidents, such as vehicles skidding off roads or plunging into ditches.
Mechanics across Islamabad were overwhelmed with demand for new windshields, with repair costs ranging from $57 to $178 (Rs16,000–50,000) per vehicle. Initial estimates suggest economic losses running into tens of millions of rupees, particularly for solar infrastructure and private vehicles.
Crops and Livelihoods at Risk
While immediate reports on crop damage were limited, farmers in districts like Bajaur and Mardan expressed concern over wheat and vegetable yields, as strong winds and hail battered fields just weeks before harvest. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has mobilized teams and requested detailed damage reports from local administrations.
Climate Change in the Spotlight
The storm followed several days of extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to 45°C in southern Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan. Meteorologists attribute the freak weather to a clash between hot air from the plains and cold winds from northern Iran, creating vertical instability and spawning massive hail.
Former climate change minister Sherry Rehman called the event “insane,” warning that such extreme weather is “not a random natural event, but the result of human-induced climate change and rising emissions from dirty energy”. Experts warn that these anomalies are becoming more frequent, highlighting Pakistan’s growing vulnerability to climate shocks.
What’s Next? More Storms, Floods, and Fire Risk
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of more rain, thunderstorms, and hail in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and northern regions through April 20, with the risk of cyclones forming in the Arabian Sea in May and June. The National Disaster Management Authority has also cautioned about intensifying heatwaves and an increased risk of wildfires in hilly areas.
Authorities urge residents to stay alert, avoid unnecessary travel during storms, and report emergencies to the PDMA’s 24/7 helpline (1700).
