Light rain: Mercury goes down by 10 degrees

PMD forecasts more rains for the twin cities over the next 24 hours.

ISLAMABAD: Light rain on Friday brought a sigh of relief for the residents of the twin cities plunging the temperature down to almost 10 degree Celsius.

The climate was humid, with the temperature being recorded at 40 degree Celsius in the afternoon which fell to 30 degree Celsius by the evening and went further down to 26 degree Celsius in the night.

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that seasonal low lies over north Balochistan with its trough extending south – eastwards and moderate moist current are penetrating in the eastern parts of the country adding that this is likely to continue till Monday morning.

PMD further said that a westerly wave is also likely to affect upper and central parts of the country during the weekend.

According to the metrological department, very hot and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country during day time in the next 24 hours.

However, rain-dust-thunderstorm with strong gusty winds is expected at isolated places in Hazara, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad divisions  and Kashmir while at few places in Malakand, Mardan, Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, DI Khan, Multan, DG khan, Bahawalpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, Quetta, Zhob divisions, FATA and Gilgit-Baltistan during evening/night.

In next 48 hours, PMD has forecasted rain-dust-thunderstorm with strong gusty winds at scattered places in Islamabd, Rawalpindi, Malakand, Hazara, Mardan, Peshawar, Kohat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad divisions, FATA and Kashmir whereas hot and dry weather is forecasted in the other parts of the country.

During the last 24 hours the highest temperature was recorded in Turbat 50°C, Shaheed Benazirabad 49°C, Dadu and Sibbi at 47°C, Nokkundi, Rohri, Noorpurthal, Rahimyarkhan, Moenjodaro, Jaccobabad, Okara, Bhakkar, Bahawalnagar were recorded to be at 45°C.

At least seven people were killed and over 100 injured in a powerful windstorm and rain that wreaked havoc in the twin cities two weeks ago.

Trees were uprooted while utility poles and billboards collapsed under the strength of the winds, which were over 100km per hour. Several major roads in Rawalpindi and Islamabad were blocked by debris. Cars and other vehicles were severely damaged after trees and boards fell on them.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2016.