A severe hailstorm accompanied by rain has hit parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa damaging crops, solar panels, homes and other property.
Reportedly, the hailstones were as large as eggs in parts of Mohmand and Khyber districts.
Farmers in Mohmand’s Pindiali tehsil said the hailstorm badly damaged their crops. Tomato fields were among the worst affected, while some farmers reported that crops ready for harvesting were completely destroyed.
Solar panels and property damaged
The hailstorm also caused damage in Gumbati area of Ambar tehsil. Several solar panels installed on homes and agricultural land were broken by the large hailstones.
Residents have asked the government and relevant authorities to assess the damage and provide assistance to affected families and farmers.
No deaths have been reported from the latest rain and hailstorm so far.
Large hailstones have previously caused damage in the region. Last year, severe hail in Prang Ghar, Mohmand, damaged crops, houses and solar panels, while livestock and domestic animals were also reportedly injured.
Islamabad also experienced unusually large hailstones last April. Some were reported to be around the size of tennis balls, damaging vehicles as well as the windows and roofs of houses and mosques.
More rain possible in KP
Weather conditions remain unsettled in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Pakistan Meteorological Department’s Flood Forecasting Division expects rain, wind and thunderstorms in several KP districts, including Mohmand, Khyber, Swat, Dir, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Buner, Shangla and Kohistan.
However, weather across most of Pakistan will remain dry, with isolated rain and thunderstorms expected in upper regions over the coming days. Major rivers are also expected to remain within normal flow ranges.