Gusty winds, dark clouds stir fear of repeat hailstorm in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The sudden arrival of gusty winds and dark clouds in Islamabad on Saturday morning created panic among residents, reminding them of the April 16 hailstorm that battered the city, causing widespread damage to vehicles, rooftops, and solar panels.

The abrupt weather change from a sunny morning caught commuters and outdoor workers off guard, while several social media users began posting updates fearing another violent storm.

Residents were seen shifting their vehicles from open areas to nearby sheds or under their porches.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted partly cloudy weather with the possibility of rain and thunderstorms, including isolated hailstorms, in Islamabad and its surrounding areas, with a probability of 30 per cent.

DRY, HOT WEATHER IN MOST AREAS OF THE COUNTRY

Punjab is likely to remain mostly hot and dry, though isolated areas including Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Mianwali, Sargodha, Bhakkar, Khushab, Jhelum, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Faisalabad, Jhang, and Toba Tek Singh—may receive dust storms, thunderstorms, and light rain. Southern districts could see temperatures rise 3 to 5°C above normal.

In Sindh, extremely hot and dry weather is expected. Daytime temperatures may shoot up by 5 to 7°C above average.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will also face mainly hot and dry conditions. However, upper districts like Chitral, Dir, Swat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Kohistan, Kurram, Kohat, Hangu, Khyber, and Waziristan might see partly cloudy skies with chances of rain and thunderstorms.

Most parts of Balochistan will remain hot and dry, with gusty winds expected in several districts.

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