Severe weather conditions, including heavy rain, hailstorms, and strong winds, lashed Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and several other cities across Pakistan on Thursday evening, disrupting power supply, damaging infrastructure, and leaving multiple people injured.
In Rawalpindi, power supply to several areas was suspended as feeders in Sadiqabad, Fourth Road, Range Road Dhok, Zeeshan Colony, Kaliam, Chaklala, and Shamsabad tripped due to the storm. Similar issues were reported in Islamabad, where feeders such as Pir Sohawa, G-8 Markaz, Bani Gala, and New Malpur were affected. IESCO field teams are actively working to restore electricity, said a spokesperson.
According to the Islamabad Police, tragedy struck in Sector G-12 when the roof of an under-construction house collapsed due to heavy rain and winds, killing two workers and injuring two others. The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital.
In Rawalpindi’s Dhok Khaba, another under-construction house’s wall collapsed, injuring two individuals. Rescue teams responded promptly, and the victims were also hospitalized.
Falling trees and iron sheets added to the damage across both cities. A tree fell on the Islamabad Police Headquarters during the storm, injuring a policeman named Waheed. In Saddar, Rawalpindi, strong winds blew off metal sheets from rooftops, damaging several vehicles and motorcycles.
The Met Department recorded 8mm rainfall in Saidpur and Shamsabad, and 7mm in Golra. PMD also warned that more rain, hailstorms, and thunderstorms are expected in upper parts of the country over the next 24 hours, including Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Swat, Abbottabad, Peshawar, and Quetta.
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A rain emergency was declared in Rawalpindi. WASA’s managing director confirmed that teams are on high alert with heavy machinery deployed to monitor the situation. The water level in Nullah Leh remained within safe limits -- five feet at Katarian and four feet at Gowalmandi.
Rain, strong winds lash Lahore, nearby areas
Heavy rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms battered several cities across Punjab and Islamabad on Thursday, disrupting daily life, halting sports activities, and affecting air travel.
In Lahore, multiple areas, including Gulberg, The Mall road, Davies Road, and Ferozwala, experienced drizzle followed by strong, dusty winds, which blew at a speed of 24 kilometres per hour, according to the Met Department. Temperatures dropped to 30°C, offering brief respite from the ongoing heatwave.
The storm damaged power infrastructure, with multiple LESCO feeders tripping, resulting in widespread electricity outages across the city.
PSL match affected
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) training session of Peshawar Zalmi at LCCA Ground was also disrupted. Strong winds tore apart the training nets, forcing players to leave practice and return to the dressing room. The match between Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators at Gaddafi Stadium was temporarily stopped due to unsafe weather conditions.
In nearby Muridke and Ferozwala, heavy rain coupled with strong winds led to power outages and pleasant weather, breaking the intensity of the heat. Several feeders tripped, compounding electricity supply issues in suburban areas.
Also Read: Major weather alert: Heavy rain, thunderstorms set to sweep Pakistan
In Muridke, the roof of a house collapsed in the Islampura area due to rain and strong winds. Rescue officials said five people were injured in the incident and shifted to THQ Hospital. The injured were identified as Tahira, Iman, Muqaddas, Basheeran, Sher Ali. A seriously injured woman has been referred to Lahore in critical condition.
Alert issued
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a weather alert for various districts of Punjab, including Lahore. The PDMA director general instructed all deputy commissioners and relevant departments to remain vigilant and prepared for emergency responses.
“Rain and storm activity is likely to continue across Punjab until May 4,” the PDMA spokesperson stated, adding that district emergency centres and the provincial control room are on 24-hour alert.
In Abbottabad, Swabi, Haripur, Muzaffarabad, and Murree, black clouds and strong winds turned day into night, followed by intense rain and hail. Residents rushed home, shutting shops early as streets flooded and temperatures dropped significantly, providing much-needed relief from the recent heatwave.
In Haripr's upper Khanpur area, rescue officials said the wall of a house collapsed, trapping three children under the debris. One child was confirmed dead, while the other two were seriously injured. The deceased and injured children shifted to hospital for treatment.
Also Read: Heavy rain, storms batter Islamabad, Rawalpindi and northern Pakistan
The Met Office forecast predicts intermittent rain and hailstorms to continue for the next 24 hours in various regions, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, and Sindh’s upper districts. Citizens are advised to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
Earlier on Thursday, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued an advisory warning of unpredictable weather conditions expected to prevail across various parts of the country from today until May 5.
According to the advisory, several regions, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, northeast Punjab and northeast Balochistan, could experience rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms during this period.
The NDMA further noted that some districts of Sindh are also likely to receive rainfall and gusty winds, advising residents to take precautionary measures.
