ISLAMABAD:
A powerful hailstorm hit parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Islamabad, killing five people and injuring at least 19, including several in critical condition.
The storm, accompanied by strong winds and lightning, caused widespread damage. In Jhelum, three people — including a woman — died when the walls of their homes collapsed. In Kot Addu, a young man was killed after being struck by lightning. A tragic incident in Rawalpindi’s Ratta Amral area saw a mosque wall collapse, taking the life of a young boy.
Five people among the injured remain in critical condition.
In Kotli, lightning caused a forest fire that spread quickly due to the high winds. In Chilas, heavy winds brought down house walls, killing a child and injuring two more.
KP was also hit hard. Flash floods destroyed roads, and the Pak-Afghan highway in the Khyber district was shut down, stranding many cargo trucks. In Mansehra, falling power lines caused power outages. District Mohmand reported both light and heavy rainfall.
Azad Kashmir cities like Bhimber, Kotli, and Mirpur experienced intense downpours, leading to colder weather and a sudden drop in temperature.
Authorities are assessing the damage, and rescue operations are underway.