Thunder sparks panic in Islamabad, residents rush to secure vehicles

ISLAMABAD: Lightening and thunder hours after heavy rain in Islamabad created panic among the residents who rushed to park their vehicles indoors under the fear of hail and wind storms.

The fear and panic were rooted in an earlier episode of hailstorm in the federal capital which had caused widespread damage to vehicles in April. In several areas of Islamabad, the hailstorm’s ferocity had caused broken automobile windshields, dented roofs, and broken windows in homes. Videos of golf-ball-sized hailstones hitting houses and cars were posted on social media by several locals.

People, who had parked their vehicles outside their offices and shops in Aabpara market, immediately shifted them indoor to avoid any damages from a possible hailstorm.

Same scenes were seen in residential areas of G-6 sector, where residents sought shelters for their vehicles parked in open sky.

Hailstorm smashes cars in Islamabad, auto repairers brace for a field day

Arslan Haider, a resident of PHA flats in G-7 told HUM News English that he had smashed his car in the previous episode of hailstorm, which not only had broken car windows but also affected its body, causing huge monetary loss for him.

“I had just get my car repaired against huge sum of money, and can’t afford damaging it again. That’s why, I took my car to a friend’s house and parked it in his porch. ”

Earlier on Friday, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a weather advisory warning of potential rain and windstorms in parts of the country from Saturday, June 20 to 23.

According to the advisory, rain is expected in upper and central regions, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may also experience strong winds, thunderstorms, and rain during this period.