Wet spell in Punjab likely to continue over next 3 days

LAHORE: Heavy rain has been predicted in most parts of Punjab over the next three days.

Rain is expected in parts of Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh and Chiniot.

Over4 the next 48 hours, the Meteorological Department has predicted thundershowers with isolated heavy falls and strong gusty winds in mentioned areas and other districts of Punjab.

Meanwhile, residents of Lahore could breathe collective sighs of relief on the second and third day of Eid as the weather turned pleasant with light rain, breaking the hot spell. The rising mercury fell with the onset of rain and relieved citizens enjoyed the changed weather on the streets and in parks of the city.



However, heavy rainfall was not a source of relief for all as water accumulated in low-lying areas of the city. Abdullah, a resident of Lakshmi Chowk, said, “After the rain, a lot of water flooded on the streets making it difficult for us to commute.

A similar situation was observed in other parts of the city as water accumulated in Gulberg, Johar Town, Township and Garhi Shahu. Faheem, a resident of Allah Baksh Colony Butt Chowk, said the weather made it a hassle for people to enjoy.

According to the Meteorological Department, rain/thunderstorms were observed in Jhang, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Sahiwal, Sargodha and Toba Tek Sing districts over the last 24 hours. The department reported rain in scattered areas of Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Lahore, Khushab, Rahimyar Khan, Okara, Layyah.  Areas of Kashmir, Multan, Faisalabad, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur and Kasur districts also experienced rain. However, the weather remained hot and dry elsewhere in Punjab, according to the department.



Jhang received the most rainfall at 109 millimetres, while the lowest was in Kasur. Lahore received 13 millimetres of rainfall, while 2-4 millimetres were recorded in Islamabad. The highest temperature was observed in Rahim Yar Khan where the mercury shot up to 43°C was observed, while the lowest temperature was in Murree at 15.9°C.

According to the Meteorological Department, moderate and heavy rainfall had been predicted in the next few days across Punjab and Kashmir. It also predicted a risk of urban flooding in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan. The department further announced that flash flooding and land sliding were expected in hilly areas over the next 48 hours.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2017.