Twin cities get an episode of ‘summer hail’

Dust storm, rain and hail bring temperatures down to the cool 20’s

Meanwhile heavy rain and thundershowers with gusty winds were also reported from isolated places in Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Kohat, Mardan, Zhob divisions, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and Kashmir. PHOTO: EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD:
After bearing intense heat for more than 20 days with the temperature rising to over 40 degrees Celsius, residents of twin cities and adjoining areas received the first rain and hail of June on Tuesday afternoon.

As a result, the temperatures fell by nearly 20 degrees to around the 21-22 degree mark.

Preceded by a thick dust storm, the much-awaited thundershowers were accompanied with gusty winds, bringing a respite from the scorching heat.

As soon as the heavens started to pour, people started posting pictures and videos of rain and dark clouds on social media to welcome the change in weather.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, temperatures in Islamabad and Rawalpindi had been steadily rising over the past few weeks. Moreover, it was expected that this year, the average temperatures in May and June would remain two to three degree higher than normal across the country.

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The Met office had already predicted that the holy month of Ramazan will be hot and dry with pre-monsoon showers expected to begin by the end of the second week of June followed by two to three good spells of showers expected from mid-June to the end of the month.

This week already, the mercury had been fluctuating between 40 to 42 degrees Celsius, creating discomfort and uneasiness for the residents.

To make matters worse, the duration of load shedding has increased since May 31, with the power going for an hour after every two hours.

Owing to insufficient rainfalls, the Simly and Khanpur dams, which are the main sources of water for the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, were also at dangerously low levels, hence reducing the supply thus causing water woes.

Meanwhile heavy rain and thundershowers with gusty winds were also reported from isolated places in Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Kohat, Mardan, Zhob divisions, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and Kashmir.

The Met Office has predicted that temperatures in Islamabad and Rawalpindi will keep on fluctuating between 38-41 degree centigrade over the next few days, however, another shower is expected over the weekend.
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