Vehicles, solar panels damaged as hailstorms batter Islamabad

A powerful hailstorm swept through Islamabad and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday, causing significant damage to vehicles, solar panels, and infrastructure.

The storm, which lasted about 35 minutes in Islamabad, was accompanied by strong winds that uprooted trees, especially in areas like Tarnol, and disrupted traffic.

Children playing in parks ran for shelter, and large hailstones shattered windscreens and house windows across the city.

The downpour and hail brought a much-needed break from the heat in Islamabad, turning the weather pleasant. However, power outages were reported in several areas, and efforts to restore electricity were underway.

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The deputy commissioner’s office confirmed that civic teams were deployed to manage drainage and assess property damage.

Meanwhile, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman reacted strongly on social media, calling the event “insane” and linking it to climate change, stressing that such extreme weather events are not random but tied to rising emissions and environmental mismanagement.