WEBDESK: The federal capital on Saturday afternoon saw a change in weather as the city was hit by hailstorms and heavy rain, causing traffic disruptions and prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the latest Islamabad weather update, dark clouds covered the sky early in the afternoon, followed by heavy rain and large hailstorms in several parts of the city.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had earlier issued a warning about potential heavy rain and storms today.
Heavy rains and hailstorms in many areas have caused streams and drains to overflow, and rainwater has entered homes, prompting the Meteorological Department to issue a weather alert. Due to the dark clouds in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the cities took on a night-like appearance. In several areas, rainwater accumulation led to long traffic jams, and power outages were reported in multiple localities.
Earlier, the Meteorological Department had predicted overcast skies and the likelihood of thunderstorms, hailstorms, and rain in Islamabad and surrounding areas within the next 24 hours.
According to the latest advisory, rainfall accompanied by strong winds and thunder has begun in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, and Jhelum.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, weather is expected to remain hot in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Kohat, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan.
In Punjab, light drizzle has already begun in Muzaffargarh, Taunsa Sharif, Khanewal, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Mianwali, Khushab, Bhakkar, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, and Jhang, where strong winds and rain were expected.
The Meteorological Department also forecast rain in Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Narowal, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, and Sialkot.
The PMD has issued warnings of heavy rain and hail in remote areas, which could lead to urban flooding or traffic disruptions in cities.
In most districts of Sindh, the weather will remain extremely hot and dry. However, coastal areas may experience strong, dusty winds during the afternoon.
In Balochistan, the weather is expected to be hot and dry, but light rain is possible in Zhob, Musakhel, Barkhan, Khuzdar, and Lasbela.
The PMD has advised citizens to take precautionary measures, especially in areas likely to experience strong winds or heavy rain.
