Rains break heat spell in twin cities

Temperature fell from 42 degrees to high 20s

ISLAMABAD: Light to moderate showers in the twin cities and adjoining areas have brought some respite from the recent spell of hot weather.

Rain accompanied with gusty wind, hailstorm started late Tuesday evening and continued till Wednesday evening. The weather remained partly cloudy and a cool breeze kept on blowing throughout the day, turning the weather pleasant especially for those who were fasting.

There were reports of a hailstorm in areas close to the Margalla Hills along with lightning and thunder.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Office in Islamabad, 33 millimetres of rain was recorded in Saidpur, 10 mm at Zero points, 13mm in Bokra and Rawalpindi while seven millimetres were recorded in Chaklala and four millimetres in Shamsabad.

While talking to The Express Tribune, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Director General Dr Ghulam Rasul said that a few days ago, the temperature in Islamabad and Rawalpindi had crossed 40 degree Celsius.

In April, the temperatures had reached a point where it was close to the highest ever temperature recorded in the capital in the month.  The highest ever temperature recorded in Islamabad in April was 40.6 degree Celsius on April 29, 2006.

“This one to two-day showers have brought temperatures down from 42 degree Celsius to 29-30 degree Celsius in Islamabad and Rawalpindi,” Dr Rasul said.

Isolated showers and thunderstorm along with gusty winds are expected to continue until Thursday morning in the twin cities, he added.

However, after the short shower break, the mercury is expected to rise again and will cross 40 degree Celsius. “June is going to be sizzling hot and dry, however a few short spell of rains of low intensity are expected in isolated areas throughout the month,” he said.

Further, he said that over the past few years various changes in the weather patterns have been observed in Islamabad owing to climate change.

“Now winter has been reduced from January to February, spring is vanishing and summer is extending,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 1^st, 2017.