QUETTA: The provincial capital and many parts of northern and central Balochistan received heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms on Monday, disrupting normal life as low-lying areas were inundated, forcing residents to move to safer places.

Rain coupled with lightning and hailstorms lashed Quetta Valley, Mastung, Kakat, Noshki, Khuzdar, Surab, Kharan, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Muslim Bagh, Ziarat, Sanjavi, Duki, Harnai and Zhob.

In Quetta, heavy rain began in the afternoon with thunderstorms and lightning and continued till late at night with brief intervals. Hailstorms were witnessed in different parts of the city and its surrounding areas. Reports from Kalat, Mastung, Pishin, Ziarat, Chaman and other areas also confirmed hailstorms, which caused damage to fruit trees. There were also reports of trees being uprooted in different areas, while tin roofs were damaged on the outskirts of Quetta.

Many slums and low-lying settlements were flooded as drainage channels lacked the capacity to handle the heavy flow of rainwater. Several main roads in Quetta were submerged, causing traffic jams in different parts of the city and creating difficulties for commuters.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2026