Thunderstorms, gusty winds, and heavy rainfall are forecasted for various regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Punjab, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) this Friday, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
The PMD has warned of strong winds and heavy showers in isolated parts of Islamabad, the Potohar region, northeastern and central Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Hailstorms and intense downpours are also expected in a few areas.
Evening and nighttime rain, accompanied by thunder and dust storms, is also anticipated in upper Sindh and northeastern Balochistan.
On Thursday, a powerful thunderstorm swept across Islamabad, bringing torrential rain and a significant temperature drop, providing a respite from the recent heatwave. The storm turned day into night as dark clouds engulfed the sky, creating a dramatic atmosphere.
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The twin city of Rawalpindi experienced similar conditions, with dust storms and high-speed winds reducing visibility, disrupting traffic, and forcing business closures across the city. Hotels, restaurants, and commercial centers had to temporarily shut down due to the extreme weather.
Punjab’s power supply system faced widespread issues, with feeder trips triggered by heavy rain and strong winds. In Lahore, gusts up to 100 km/h led to over 565 power feeders tripping, while Faisalabad reported issues with 150 feeders. Islamabad also faced disruptions, though officials confirmed that over 80% of power supply has since been restored.
Rainfall was reported in multiple cities, including Gujranwala, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Kamoke, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Wazirabad, Chakwal, Jhelum, and Bahawalnagar. In Mianwali, an intense hailstorm occurred, while in Sargodha, a house wall collapse caused by the storm resulted in one fatality and injuries to four children.
Restoration efforts are currently ongoing in all affected areas.
