ATTOCK, March 23:  High speed  rain  along with hail  storms hit many areas of Attock district,  bringing the lives of the residents to a standstill.

The spell had initiated in the early hours of Saturday morning however, what had been a cool breeze transformed into a culmination of violent winds and hailstorms by the evening of the same day.

As a result, low visibility and aggressive windspeed brought a halt to traffic stranded on high ways, while pedestrians rushed to shelter themselves.

Along with partial suspension of power and telephone systems in some areas, a number of uprooted billboards and trees were reported.

Low lying areas, receiving water flow from higher areas, had to face a flood like situation whereas mud plastered houses in rural areas partially swept away.

While the hailstorms impacted the standing crops and local wildlife adversely, mud sliding and erosional force of the water flow caused harm to agricultural lands. Moreover, the water level at Indus, Haro Rivers and Power channels of Ghazi Barotha Hydropower project also witnessed a rise in levels whereas Nullahs in various areas overflowed the excess water to adjoining areas.

The rainstorm, which lasted for 2 hours eventually ended in a prevalent presence of thick clouds, cooling the overall temperature of the area.

The change was observed by the local populace as an indication of an approaching spring, who were seen to be wearing warm clothes again.