Residents endure cold as mercury drops in twin cities

PMD says cold, dry spell to continue; severe gas shortages in many areas

ISLAMABAD: A severe cold wave gripped the twin cities and many other parts of the country on Saturday with lowest minimum temperature recorded at 1 degree centigrade at Murree.

Maximum temperature recorded in Islamabad on Saturday was 16 degrees centigrade, which had fallen to six degrees by the evening and was expected to plunge further at night.



Continuing gas shortage in many areas compounded the issues. In some areas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) dealers increased the rates at their will, taking advantage of the high demand.

Temperature elsewhere was recorded at 10 degrees centigrade in Parachinar; eight degrees in  Skardu and Gupis; seven degrees in Astore and Hunza; four degrees in Rawalakot; three degrees in Dir, Gilgit, Malamjabba, and Quetta; two degrees at Kalam; and one degree Celsius at Murree, Abbotabad, Chitral, Kalat, and Zhob. Astore and Skardu received snowfall on Saturday.



Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast that cold and dry weather would continue over the next two days. However, light rain and snow fall is expected in parts of Malakand, Hazara and Quetta divisions, FATA, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Balistitan.

The PMD has also forecast that foggy conditions would continue over plain areas of Punjab, Peshawar and Sukkur divisions during morning hours.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2015.