Severe Weather Alert Issued for Several Regions

The National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a forecast indicating that various regions throughout the country, including Rawalpindi and Islamabad, should anticipate significant rainfall accompanied by robust windstorms, thunderstorms, and sporadic hailstorms during the evenings of Friday and Saturday.

This prediction follows a recent severe hailstorm that impacted the federal capital and sections of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The storm resulted in considerable damage, including shattered vehicle windshields, compromised solar panels, and fractured tree limbs.

A weather advisory has been released for the Pothohar region—encompassing Islamabad and Rawalpindi—in conjunction with upper and central Punjab. It cautions that harsh weather conditions from the evening of April 18 through April 19, 2025, could negatively affect infrastructure, create transportation issues, and disrupt agricultural endeavors.

The advisory further cautioned that powerful winds and substantial rainfall might lead to trees being uprooted, potentially triggering temporary power disruptions. Windstorms, dust clouds, and hailstorms could inflict harm on susceptible structures, rooftops, vehicles, and electrical lines.

Furthermore, hailstorms present a hazard to agricultural yields and outdoor setups, notably those incorporating glass elements. Diminished visibility stemming from precipitation and airborne dust particles may elevate the likelihood of traffic incidents.

The NEOC has advised inhabitants to implement safety measures, firmly secure any unanchored items, and abstain from superfluous travel during episodes of intense weather.

The NDMA has implored residents to remain informed by acquiring the official Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application, ensuring access to real-time updates.

All individuals, with emphasis on tourists and inhabitants of at-risk locales, are urged to vigilantly observe meteorological developments via sanctioned channels exclusively.

Travellers are emphatically encouraged to ascertain the condition of roadways before embarking and to defer any non-essential journeys amidst periods of heightened weather activity.

Individuals residing in or proximate to zones susceptible to landslides must exert amplified caution and stringently adhere to all localized safety protocols. The public is reminded that immediate access to verified intelligence and obedience to official advisories are paramount for safeguarding individual welfare and communal security amid critical weather scenarios.