Showers in smog-hit Punjab likely next week

But PMD sees less than normal rains in ongoing month

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted light to moderate scattered rains in northern areas, upper Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) from November 13 onwards which will provide relief from dense smog and extended dry spell in the country.

The department has also predicted less than normal rains during the ongoing month due to which groundwater resources may experience further depletion, aggravating the water crisis in the country.

However, smog will continue to engulf Punjab over the next six to seven days till the province receives showers.

Talking to The Express Tribune, a senior meteorologist at PMD said that considering the prevailing weather patterns, some parts of the country – including northern areas, Islamabad and adjoining areas – would receive showers from November 13, while Lahore and other parts of Punjab from November 14.

Pakistan would receive rains after a gap of almost two months as the country has been facing dry spell since the last rain on September 11.

“It is expected that the first spell of winter rains, which will continue for two to three days, will help in bringing down the temperature, and with this, the winter season will begin in the country,” said the meteorologist.

He said the showers would help put an end to the dense smog in Punjab which had now become life-threatening for people. But, he added, the showers would not help raise the water level in major reservoirs of the country.

“After these showers, normal fog will continue in the country without dust particles in it,” he said.

Regarding smog, the PMD official said that as compared to previous years, this year the smog started earlier in the country and would continue for a longer period with high intensity.

“In some parts of Punjab, zero or 20 to 30 metres visibility was recorded due to dense smog. Sukkur also experienced dense smog earlier than usual.”

The meteorologist further said this year winter season would be delayed and would be of short duration.