Islamabad, May 27, 2025 – A terrifying windstorm ripped through Islamabad and other regions on Tuesday afternoon, leaving a trail of destruction, widespread panic, and disrupted daily life.
Accompanied by bursts of rain, the sudden shift in weather transformed the skies into a swirling tempest that rattled windows, uprooted trees, and sent debris flying through the capital’s bustling streets.
In Islamabad, the windstorm struck with brutal force, snapping billboards like paper and toppling trees onto roads and vehicles. The federal capital bore the brunt of nature’s fury, with residents describing scenes of chaos as visibility plummeted and powerful gusts shook buildings. Motorists frantically sought shelter beneath overpasses, terrified of a possible hailstorm, while motorcyclists clung to flyover columns to avoid being swept off the roads.
Inside a popular Islamabad shopping mall, panic unfolded among families wrapping up their Eid ul Adha preparations. “No one dared to leave,” said one shopper. “The fear was real—imagine driving out only to have a tree or billboard crash onto your car. We stayed inside for nearly an hour, unsure of what would come next.”
Another resident caught in Islamabad’s Blue Area recalled the sheer force of the wind. “It felt like the wind could flip my car,” he said. “I parked under a flyover and waited it out. The windstorm was like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had warned of the impending chaos, issuing an advisory for windstorms and thunderstorms across upper and central Pakistan from May 27 to May 31. According to PMD, moist currents are infiltrating these regions, while a westerly wave is expected to intensify the weather system from May 28 onwards.
The alert covers a vast area including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Swat, and many other districts. The advisory warns of dangerous windstorms, dust-thunderstorms, hailstorms, and lightning strikes that could damage electric poles, solar panels, trees, and even moving vehicles.
Farmers have been advised to reconsider harvesting and sowing plans. Meanwhile, tourists, travelers, and residents—especially in Islamabad—are urged to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary movement. Authorities remain on high alert, bracing for what could be a volatile weather spell in the coming days.
This unrelenting windstorm has proven one thing: nature still holds the power to bring Islamabad to a halt.