Severe hailstorm wreaks havoc in Islamabad: Causes, consequences, and preventive measures

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Abdul Aleem Ch

On April 16, 2025, Islamabad was battered by a severe hailstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall, resulting in widespread disruption and extensive property damage across the city.

The storm, marked by large hailstones and torrential downpours, overwhelmed the capital’s infrastructure — triggering power outages, paralyzing traffic, and damaging vehicles, homes, and buildings.

The hailstorm struck in the afternoon, catching many off guard. Residents reported golf ball-sized hailstones shattering car windows and pummeling rooftops. The sudden and intense rainfall inundated low-lying areas, crippling traffic flow and overwhelming the city’s drainage system. Social media was flooded with footage of hail pelting the streets, including scenes of children caught in parks without shelter. Several neighborhoods experienced extended power outages, prompting emergency teams to mobilize for traffic management and flood relief.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had issued prior warnings of rain, wind, and thunderstorms in northern Pakistan, including Islamabad, due to an approaching westerly wave. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) also sounded a nationwide alert, warning of severe weather—rain, hailstorms, and thunderstorms — expected to persist until April 29, with risks of flash floods and landslides in various regions.

Climate Change: A Key Factor

Experts link the increasing frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events to climate change. Zaheer Ahmad Babar, spokesperson for the PMD, noted that "climate change is a major factor influencing erratic weather patterns in our region." Former Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman echoed this view, describing the event as "extreme weather volatility driven by climate change," and tied it to human-induced factors such as emissions and fossil fuel consumption.

Consequences of the Storm

The impact of the hailstorm was widespread. Numerous reports surfaced of broken vehicle windows, damaged rooftops, and flooding in both commercial and residential areas. The overwhelmed drainage system led to waterlogging on major roads, compounding the chaos. Power supply remained disrupted in several localities well into the evening.

The agricultural sector was also significantly affected. The NDMA warned of potential crop damage and infrastructure loss, urging farmers to secure their harvests. The storm’s timing—during the critical wheat harvest season—raises concerns over economic losses for farmers and local communities.

Preventive and Proactive Measures

In response to the growing frequency of such weather events, experts and authorities stress the importance of proactive and long-term measures:

• Enhanced Forecasting and Early Warning Systems: Strengthening meteorological infrastructure and ensuring timely dissemination of weather alerts can better prepare communities for extreme conditions.

• Resilient Infrastructure: Upgrading urban drainage systems, reinforcing rooftops, and improving urban planning can minimize the damage from storms and flooding.

• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating citizens on how to respond to severe weather can save lives and reduce damage to property.

• Climate Change Mitigation: Developing and enforcing policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote the shift toward clean energy is essential to address the root causes of climate change.

• Agricultural Support and Advisory Services: Providing timely information and resources to farmers can help them safeguard crops and recover from weather-related losses.

A Wake-Up Call

The April 16 hailstorm is a stark reminder of the escalating risks associated with climate change. It highlights the urgency of implementing comprehensive strategies that integrate forecasting, infrastructure resilience, public awareness, and environmental responsibility to protect lives, livelihoods, and the future of sustainable development in Pakistan.