After several days of extreme heat, people in Islamabad were surprised on Wednesday when a powerful hailstorm suddenly hit the city. The storm caused traffic jams and damaged many vehicles.
The hail started in the afternoon and was unusually strong, with large hailstones falling across the city. Many car owners said their windshields were cracked by the force of the hail.
Traffic on major roads came to a stop as drivers tried to protect themselves and their cars. Soon, social media was full of photos and videos showing broken windshields, dented cars, and streets covered in hail.
One commuter, Aadil Shadman, who was on Margalla Road, said it was the worst hailstorm he had seen in years. He stopped his car to take cover, but the hail still cracked the windshield of his Suzuki APV.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department had predicted some rain but didn’t expect such a heavy hailstorm. Now, officials are checking the damage and giving new weather updates. They’re also warning people to stay alert, as more bad weather might come in the next few days.
Although the storm didn’t last long, it gave a short break from the heat — but many in the city are left dealing with the damage.
