Thunderstorms in Islamabad, nearby cities kill six
Motorists drive slowly on a wet road on a rainy morning in Islamabad. PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE
A powerful storm system swept through Islamabad and several northern regions of Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, including a child, and leaving multiple others injured. The storm brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, and hail, causing widespread disruption, property damage, and tragic accidents, Express News reported.
According to reports, dark storm clouds engulfed Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Haripur, Abbottabad, Chakwal, and surrounding areas on Thursday.
In Islamabad, a police officer was injured when a tree fell, while two laborers lost their lives when the roof of an under-construction house collapsed in Sector G-12.
In Rawalpindi, life came to a standstill as stormy winds disrupted traffic on major roads and forced the closure of commercial centers, hotels, and restaurants. The rainfall eventually brought relief from the intense heat.
Elsewhere, heavy rains and hailstorms were reported in Murree, Galiyat, and Abbottabad. A tragic boating accident occurred at Khanpur Dam, where a family visiting from Peshawar encountered high winds that capsized their boat. Six individuals fell into the water; rescue teams managed to save five, while one person remains unaccounted for.
In Haripur, a child died and two others were critically injured when a wall collapsed due to the storm. Meanwhile, in Islamgarh, Mirpur, a young man was killed by a lightning strike. In Pind Dadan Khan’s Khair Shah neighbourhood, a roof collapse left two people injured, including a woman.
In Azad Kashmir, lightning struck and killed a goat, and electrical appliances in nearby shops were damaged. In Chakwal, high winds tore down shop canopies and billboards, uprooted trees, and damaged power lines, plunging the city into darkness.
According to an Islamabad Electric Supply Company spokesperson, electricity has been restored in 80% of affected areas.
Authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution as weather conditions may remain unstable in the coming days. Rescue and relief efforts continue in the affected regions.