A strong thunderstorm followed by heavy rainfall struck Islamabad on Thursday, bringing a welcome drop in temperatures after days of intense heat. Thick clouds and strong winds plunged the city into near darkness during daylight hours, marking a sudden shift in weather.
Rawalpindi also faced severe conditions, as dust storms and gusty winds disrupted normal life. Poor visibility caused traffic jams, and several businesses and restaurants temporarily shut down due to the storm’s intensity. Rainfall and strong winds were reported across various parts of the city.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted a broader change in the weather, with widespread rainfall expected across the country. The ongoing heatwave, which had affected both major cities and remote towns, is now likely to ease.
Islamabad and nearby regions are expected to remain partly cloudy, with chances of heavy rain and isolated hailstorms. Similar conditions are forecast for several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Swat, Chitral, Abbottabad, and Waziristan.
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In Punjab, areas such as Rawalpindi, Murree, Lahore, and Sialkot are likely to receive rain and hail, while Sindh may witness thunderstorms in Sukkur, Jacobabad, Larkana, and surrounding cities by nightfall. Rain is also expected across many parts of Balochistan, including Quetta, Zhob, and Mastung.
In Peshawar, overnight showers brought temporary relief, although the PMD warned of more dust storms in lower-lying areas like Bannu and parts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Earlier this week, temperatures soared, with Dera Ismail Khan reaching 43°C, Bannu 42°C, and Mardan touching 39°C. In the northern hills, Kalam recorded 30°C and Chitral remained around 35°C.
The PMD continues to monitor the situation and urges citizens to stay cautious as the weather system unfolds.