An unbelievable hailstorm in Islamabad on Wednesday, 16 April, has amazed everyone. Accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds, the intense hail damaged the vehicles’ windscreen, glass doors, and windows of city buildings such as Faisal Mosque.
Thunderstorms Born Hails & Hailstorm in Islamabad
If you are a nature enthusiast and interested in knowing how hail is formed and what a hailstorm is. Here’s an easy brief to develop your understanding of this amazing event that mesmerized the capital, Islamabad, of Pakistan.
A hailstorm is a storm of iceballs, or hail, that fall from the sky. Their formation is an interesting process to know, as hails are formed within thunderstorms. During a thunderstorm, when water droplets are taken to the higher clouds where the temperature is colder, these droplets freeze and turn into hail.
With more upward movements of air, these ice particles collide with more water droplets and grow in size. And then comes a time when they become too heavy to be moved by air, and as a result, they fall to the ground.
Hailstorm in Islamabad Damages Vehicles, Solar Panels, Infrastructure
It continued for almost 35 minutes, and citizens took shelter to save themselves from the golf-ball-sized hailstones that battered the capital of Pakistan. Soon after, the social media was flooded with reels and videos showing trees uprooted in some areas, while icy balls smashed the solar panels.
Although no human loss or injury was reported, the property damage, including home windows and vehicles, is estimated to be extensive. The hailstorm in Islamabad brought the temperature down; however, the unusual event alerted everyone and pointed towards the effects of climate change.
Is More Rain & Hailstorm in Islamabad Predicted?
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rains and hailstorms in the twin cities. The public is advised to stay alert, as the rain may cause disruptions in power, transport, and other daily life activities. Stay updated on 360 Buzz.
Effects of Hailstorms on Mangoes in Pakistan
April and May mark the harvesting season for many important crops in Pakistan, including wheat, gram, lentils, and mustard. Unexpected hailstorms during this period can significantly impact crop production.
Moreover, mango flowering begins in early summer—a highly sensitive stage for the king of fruits. Hailstorms can damage mango blossoms and immature fruit, potentially reducing the overall yield.
Hailstorms Can Cause Billion-Dollar Damage – U.S. Reports
International nature journals, such as Climate and Atmospheric Science, have released reports in 2024—cited by The Washington Post—indicating that while hailstorms may become less frequent, they are expected to produce larger hailstones, approximately four centimeters in diameter (about the size of a golf ball).
Atmospheric analysts predict these hailstones will be more damaging due to their increased volume, force, and speed. Studies have shown that large hailstorms are a consequence of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, and their impact is expected to become even more severe in the future.
