On May 25, severe storms struck various areas in Punjab and nearby locations, resulting in at least 14 fatalities and 51 injuries. Authorities are preparing for further precipitation and thunderstorms nationwide. According to forecasts from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, more rains are expected on Sunday in Islamabad, northern Punjab, Balochistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Intense winds, along with hail and rainfall, led to extensive destruction on Saturday. In Rawalpindi, water inundated houses and submerged lower regions, leading the administration to announce a state of rain emergency. Likewise, in Lahore, a robust sandstorm wreaked havoc on facilities at Gaddafi Stadium and cut off electricity in multiple zones.
Following the destruction, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) stated that financial assistance would be provided to the affected families according to the Punjab government’s guidelines. The rescue personnel indicated that majority of fatalities were due to buildings caving in and objects being hurled around by the strong winds during the tempest.
At the same time, severe temperatures persisted in southern Pakistan. Jacobabad experienced a blistering high of 50°C on Saturday, with Sibi not far behind at 49°C and various cities in Sindh recording 47°C. Nonetheless, rainfall provided welcome respite from the sweltering heat in certain regions of Islamabad and nearby locations.
A dust storm struck Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, whereas rainfall and hail devastated crops in regions such as Swat, Mardan, Abbottabad, and Charsadda. In certain locations, floodwater inundated houses and stores, compounding the difficulties faced by locals who were already dealing with electricity blackouts and blocked roads.
In AJK, floods were noted in sections of the Neelum Valley and Muzaffarabad. Officials shut down the Sharea Neelum road because of increasing water levels. Given predictions for additional rainfall, authorities have advised people living in at-risk zones to remain vigilant and adopt safety measures.
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