After the destructive hailstorm that hit the federal capital, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a warning about the possibility of more severe hailstorms in the coming days.
The storm, which accompanied a sudden drop in temperature during an intense heatwave, left hundreds of vehicles damaged, with their windows shattered across various parts of the city.
The hailstorm, which struck unexpectedly, also caused damage to several buildings, including a partial section of the iconic Faisal Mosque. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a thick white layer of hail covering roads and parks, with many vehicles left exposed to the elements, resulting in significant property damage.
The force of the storm was so severe that vehicles parked outdoors across Islamabad had their windows broken.
Experts have linked such extreme weather events to climate change, which is having a notable impact on the region’s weather patterns. “While such events are not entirely unusual, the frequency and intensity of hailstorms in recent years suggest that climate change is altering the region’s climate,” a PMD official stated.
In response to the damage, residents have voiced concerns, with some attributing the storms to divine retribution, reflecting the public’s uncertainty in the face of such unpredictable weather.
However, the Meteorological Department has clarified that such events occur when there are sudden shifts in weather conditions, especially during transitions between heatwaves and rain.
“The sudden hailstorm witnessed yesterday is an indication of changing weather patterns. We have issued an alert for the possibility of similar storms in the coming days,” the PMD official explained.
In addition to the hailstorm, the department has also warned of the possibility of a heatwave in the next few days, which may bring back intense temperatures to the region. Citizens have been urged to remain alert and take precautions against further damage from extreme weather conditions.
