Devastating Hailstorm Kills Several in Punjab and KP

A powerful hailstorm swept across various regions of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on April 16, 2025, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. The storm resulted in multiple fatalities, dozens of injuries, significant property losses, agricultural destruction, and large-scale disruptions to public infrastructure.

• Confirmed Fatalities: At least 5 people were killed, with 19 others injured due to structural collapses and storm-related accidents.

• Widespread Property Damage: Vehicles, buildings, solar panels, and public infrastructure were severely impacted.

• Agricultural Losses: Wheat, tobacco, vegetable, and fruit crops in several districts were destroyed.

• Flooding and Mobility Disruption: Roads blocked, power outages reported, and public movement hindered.

• Emergency Response Initiated: Rescue 1122 and local authorities are engaged in relief and rehabilitation efforts.

According to official sources, at least five lives were lost due to the storm.

• In Rawalpindi and Gujar Khan, structural collapses caused by strong winds and hail killed three people.

• In Jhelum’s Sohawa tehsil, multiple incidents of collapsing walls due to torrential rain led to further fatalities and injuries.

• Nineteen individuals sustained serious injuries, many due to falling debris and shattered glass. Rescue teams provided on-site first aid and transported the injured to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment

The intensity of the hailstorm left thousands of residents dealing with the aftermath:

• Vehicles across Islamabad and Rawalpindi were battered by large hailstones, causing shattered windshields and body damage.

• In Tarnol and other Islamabad sectors, solar panels were destroyed, disrupting backup electricity systems.

• Trees were uprooted, and electric poles collapsed, resulting in power outages across multiple neighborhoods.

• Municipal workers and electric supply companies are actively working to restore essential services.

The agriculture sector bore a significant brunt of the storm, especially in Charsadda, Mardan, and Swabi districts:

• Wheat and tobacco fields at the harvest stage were destroyed.

• Farmers in Charsadda reported the total loss of seasonal vegetables and orchards.

• Experts from local agricultural departments estimate millions of rupees in crop damages, warning of potential price hikes in local markets.

• Officials from KP’s agriculture ministry have been dispatched to survey the affected areas and recommend compensation packages.

• Heavy rainfall accompanying the hailstorm led to flash flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Peshawar, and Nowshera.

• The Peshawar–Torkham Highway was temporarily closed due to water overflow and landslides.

• Transit camps near the Hamza Baba mausoleum used for Afghan repatriation faced waterlogging, disrupting registration operations for deported families.

• Commuters in the twin cities faced long delays as traffic signals failed and public transport systems were halted.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Rescue 1122, and district administrations initiated immediate relief and rehabilitation measures:

• Rescue personnel were dispatched with medical kits and disaster relief tools to assist those trapped under rubble.

• Teams worked overnight to clear blocked roads, restore electricity, and secure damaged buildings.

• Mobile health units were set up in Charsadda and Gujar Khan to provide medical assistance to remote areas.

• Government officials confirmed that financial assistance packages will be announced for affected families.

Residents described the storm as one of the most intense in recent years:

“It felt like the sky was falling. The hailstones were so large that they cracked our rooftop solar panels,” said Shahid Khan, a resident of Islamabad’s Tarnol area.

“We barely escaped with our lives. The wall collapsed just minutes after we moved to the inner room,” shared Asma Bibi from Gujar Khan, whose home was partially destroyed.

Local mosques and community centers opened their doors to provide temporary shelter and food to those displaced by the storm.

Government spokespersons acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and assured citizens of swift and transparent relief efforts.
Climate experts warned that such erratic weather patterns may become more frequent due to climate change and urban expansion without adequate planning.

“Unseasonal hailstorms with this intensity are becoming increasingly common. There’s an urgent need for stronger disaster preparedness,” said Dr. Moinuddin, a climate scientist from Quaid-i-Azam University.

In the wake of this disaster, experts and authorities recommend the following:

• Improved Early Warning Systems: Expansion of PMD’s radar and forecasting systems to better alert citizens in advance.

• Structural Resilience: New building codes to be enforced in high-risk areas.

• Farmer Support Programs: Special insurance and compensation frameworks for seasonal crop damage.

• Public Education: Awareness drives on how to stay safe during severe weather events.

The devastating hailstorm across Punjab and KP on April 16 serves as a stark reminder of Pakistan’s vulnerability to sudden climate shifts and extreme weather. As authorities ramp up relief efforts and begin long-term recovery planning, there is growing consensus that climate resilience and public preparedness must become national priorities.

Stay tuned for further updates as more details emerge.