Thunderstorm hits Islamabad as PMD warns of widespread rain across many parts of country

Heavy rain accompanied by thunder, lightning and winds lashed Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Thursday night, as a powerful weather system moved across north and north-eastern Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Apr, 2026) Heavy rain accompanied by thunder, lightning and winds lashed Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Thursday night, as a powerful weather system moved across north and north-eastern Pakistan.

The rainfall began around 9:00 PM and continued till present with gaps as per Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast.

The weather system is expected to persist into Friday, with the PMD forecasting continued rain, windstorm and thunderstorm at scattered locations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, upper and central Punjab, Islamabad, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and north-eastern Balochistan.

Moderate to heavy rainfall is additionally likely in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

In Punjab, the warning zone covers a large swath including Murree, Galliyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sargodha, Faisalabad and Jhang, among others.

Lighter rain with possible hailstorm is also expected in Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur and surrounding areas. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, virtually every major district from Chitral and Dir in the north to Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan in the south is on alert.

Landslides are possible in vulnerable mountain areas of upper KP, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, with rising water levels in local nullahs and streams expected from Thursday evening through April 18.

Hailstorms and strong winds may damage standing and ready-to-harvest crops in upper Punjab and KP.

Additionally, windstorms, hailstorms, and lightning pose a risk to weak structures, including electricity poles, billboards and solar panels.

Islamabad recorded a high of 36C and a low of 14C during the last 24 hours— a contrast underscored by the dramatic overnight storm.

The hottest temperature in the country was recorded at Bahawalnagar and Shaheed Benazirabad, both hitting 44 °C, followed by Rohri, Dadu, Sakrand and Mohenjo-Daro at 43 °C, highlighting the stark divide between Pakistan's scorching south and its storm-battered north.

The citizens have been urged to take precautionary measures and follow updates from the PMD's website.