QUETTA, April 18: The valley and its surrounding areas were hit by a severe hailstorm on Friday evening and damaged orchards and wheat crop.

The hailstorm forced the people to stay indoor.

Chaman, Toba Achakzai, Pishin and other areas of northern Balochistan were also lashed by the hailstorm and heavy rains. Some houses were damaged in Chaman.

The hailstorm was preceded by showers that inundated most of the localities of the provincial capital and its surrounding townships. The temperature in the valley dropped.

The Quetta Electricity Supply Company suspended power supply as a precautionary measure as fire erupted in a flour mill.

No casualties were reported.