ISLAMABAD: Residents of the federal capital and Rawalpindi endured a powerful storm late Wednesday night, with some reports of as many as seven dead and dozens more injured.
Seven died and dozens were injured as the heavy rains also affected Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, including in Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan and Khyber Agency. Nowshera only reported injuries, while Kalam and Mansehra reported damages, but no casualties. According to Pesco, efforts are underway to restore electricity from 21 tripped feeders.
Reports poured in on social media that strong winds of over a hundred kilometres per hour uprooted trees and knocked over billboards, damaging property and blocking roads as the storm raged for hours. Power supply remained disrupted for the duration of the storm in many parts of the twin cities.
Photos circulating on Twitter showed trees fallen on cars, with one user posting a video of fearful shoppers reacting to the storm inside the capital's popular shopping mall Centaurus.
All hospitals and blood banks were put on alert and a help centre was set up by the federal government to help victims, according to PML-N member of National Assembly Maiza Hameed.
All hospitals at alert. Blood banks at set to handle the situation. Pm house Updated every moment! #Islamabad
Federal gov has set an help centre to facilitate all queries for victims in #Islamabad
The severe weather also put flight operations at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport on hold, particularly departures. Normal operations resumed Thursday morning.
Operations have partially resumed at BBIA of #Islamabad with departures on hold, arrivals priority.
Resuming on full scale momentarily.
Flight operations at BBIA of #Islamabad are back to normal.
Thank you for your patience & cooperation, committed to passenger safety.
People shared photos and videos of damage in their immediate vicinity and advised friends in the city to stay safe.
#Islamabad after thunderstorm
Lightning strikes #Islamabad with severe rain and storm. #IESCOmaking life miserable with #Loadshedding
Power supply was interrupted throughout the storm
Lightning strikes #Islamabad with severe rain and storm. #IESCOmaking life miserable with #Loadshedding
The storm ceased by morning, revealing crisp but overcast skies.
Good morning #Islamabad I know it doesn't seem like there was a storm last night
Morning after a stormy night #Islamabad
With additional reporting by Ali Akbar from Peshawar
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