Heavy rainfall, hailstorm likely to lash Islamabad within 12 hours

The National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) on Friday issued a weather advisory forecasting severe weather conditions across parts of Punjab and Islamabad over the next 12 hours.

The advisory comes in the wake of a powerful hailstorm that struck the federal capital and areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa earlier this week, damaging vehicles, solar panels, and trees.

According to the NEOC, a westerly weather system is expected to bring heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, windstorms, and isolated hailstorms to several regions. Areas most likely to be affected include the Potohar region—particularly Islamabad and Rawalpindi—as well as upper Punjab districts such as Attock, Chakwal, Gujrat, and Jhelum.

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Central Punjab cities including Lahore, Faisalabad, Narowal, Sahiwal, and Sargodha are also expected to experience adverse weather.

The advisory warned of potential damage to infrastructure and crops due to strong winds and hail. Temporary power outages and uprooting of trees are also possible.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir, localised flash flooding may occur in Dir, Swat, Chitral, Mansehra, and Neelum Valley between April 18 and 20. Areas in Hazara and Malakand Divisions are also at risk due to forecasted heavy rainfall.