Met Office issues new alert for likely hailstorm in Islamabad

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Thursday warned of the possibility of another severe hailstorm in Islamabad, just a day after a powerful storm caused widespread damage in the capital and surrounding areas.

Heavy rain and intense hail battered the city on Wednesday, shattering hundreds of car windows and reportedly causing partial damage to the Faisal Mosque. Hailstones large enough to blanket streets and parks were observed in several parts of the city.

According to the Met Office, such extreme weather events, including sudden hailstorms during ongoing heatwaves, could reoccur. Meteorologists attributed the phenomenon to shifting seasonal patterns, exacerbated by climate change.

Senator Sherry Rehman, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, described the hailstorm as part of an increasingly frequent pattern of climate-related disruptions across Asia. She referenced China's recent severe orange wind alert — its strongest in a decade — as evidence of the rising intensity of extreme weather across the region.

In a statement on LinkedIn, Rehman criticized Pakistan’s response to climate challenges, describing it as fragmented. “Our dams are drying up, our crops are withering, and yet climate adaptation remains an afterthought,” she said.

She emphasised the need for a robust national strategy, warning that Pakistan is approaching a water and agriculture emergency. While farmers receive basic weather advisories, she noted, they often lack the tools, training, and long-term support needed to adapt to the growing threat of climate volatility.