KHYBER/ISLAMABAD: A rare and powerful hailstorm, accompanied by thunder, swept through parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the federal capital on Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction. The storm claimed several lives across both provinces, damaged public and private property, and devastated standing crops.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, flash floods triggered by the heavy rainfall caused significant disruptions, particularly on the Peshawar-Torkham Road, where traffic was halted for up to five hours due to a swollen stream. Meanwhile, in Islamabad, hailstones as large as golf balls pounded the city, damaging vehicles, solar panels, and infrastructure. Tarnol was the hardest-hit area, where strong winds uprooted trees and power pylons.
The storm came after a prolonged period of hot, dry weather in the northern regions. According to meteorologists, the extreme weather was caused by ‘vertical instability,’ where hot air from Punjab clashed with cold winds from northern Iran, creating a sharp temperature contrast. “Hailstones form when these differing temperatures interact, but such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, and the large size of the hailstones was a notable aspect,” explained a spokesperson from the Meteorological Office.
The capital city saw widespread property damage, with residents sharing images of shattered car windows and windshields. Streets, markets, and homes were littered with hail, and even the roof of the Faisal Mosque sustained some damage.
The storm also tragically led to several fatalities. In Rawalpindi’s Ratta Amral area, a mosque wall collapsed, killing one person. In Gujar Khan, two individuals lost their lives when a wall fell onto a trolley in Sohawa. In Muzaffargarh, a shopkeeper was killed by a lightning strike in Pull Magsan.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also suffered losses, including the death of an army soldier who was struck by lightning in the Landi Kotal area of Khyber. Sepoy Ilyas Khan, from Bara, was killed instantly when the lightning hit his bunker. Flash floods triggered by the storm also swept away a car.
In addition to these tragic losses, the storm caused major disruptions in daily life. Traffic was suspended for hours on the Peshawar-Torkham highway, and rainwater inundated a transit camp for Afghan nationals near the Hamza Baba mausoleum, hampering the registration process for deported families.
Agriculture also bore the brunt of the storm. In Charsadda, the combined impact of heavy rain and hailstorms destroyed wheat and tobacco crops, as well as fruit orchards and vegetable fields. Trees and electricity poles were uprooted in areas like Tangi, Shomali Hashtnagar, and others.
In Bajaur, the storm caused significant damage to crops and vegetables. Locals reported that the hailstorm, which began around 3 PM, affected many areas of the district, with Khar, War Mamund, Lowi Mamund, Nawagai, and Salarzai tehsil being the most impacted. A vehicle also plunged into a deep ditch near the Jar bridge, injuring four people when it veered off the road due to the rainfall.
Mardan was also affected, where thunderstorms and rain uprooted trees near the Sharmakhano Bridge, severely disrupting traffic for several hours. Strong winds also damaged wheat crops in the district, leaving farmers concerned about the potential reduction in yield.
In response to the widespread damage, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) stated that it was fully prepared to handle the flooding situation in Khyber districts and other affected areas. The PDMA has requested a damage report from district administrations in Khyber and other areas. “We’ve been monitoring the situation closely and coordinating with the local administrations to take necessary actions and provide compensation for those affected by the floods,” said a PDMA representative.
