Strong winds, rain lash parts of Punjab

Heavy winds also uproot several billboards in Sialkot

SIALKOT: Strong winds coupled with heavy showers lashed different cities of Punjab, including Sialkot and Gujrat. The rains made the weather pleasant and significantly decreased the temperature that had crossed 45 degrees Celsius in the past few days.

As a result of the downpour, main roads in different cities were submerged in rainwater, exposing the poor planning of civic bodies. Most of the cities and towns were also without electricity for many hours, adding to people’s miseries.

In Sialkot, intermittent rain started late Saturday night and continued on till the early hours of Sunday. Most of the low-lying areas of the city were inundated, exposing the poor preparation of the district administration.

All major roads, including Shahab Pura Road, Miana Pura Road, Fateh Garh Road and other thoroughfares, were inundated with rainwater and sewerage.

People faced severe difficulty while commuting as the district administration failed in draining out the accumulated rainwater till filing of this report. Similarly, in other cities and towns, all roads and streets were flooded.

Heavy winds also uprooted several billboards, disrupting traffic in the area. Many feeders also tripped and resulted in power outages.

Meanwhile, the local meteorological office predicted cloudy weather with more rains in the province over the next few days.

Earlier, Met Office Spokesperson Khalid Mahmood Malik said “This year, Pakistan is experiencing the hottest summer as compared to previous years. Temperatures remained two to three degrees above normal.”

Chances are high that the country will experience two to three spells of showers which will bring respite from the intense heat, he said

It is also expected to rain during the last few days of Ramzan despite the fact that the rest of the month has been dry so far. “There are good chances that it may rain in most parts of the country during Eid holidays,” he said.

Malik further said that in 2018, the southern half of the country experienced slightly higher temperatures compared to the north. “Therefore, due to this difference in temperatures, it is expected that the country will witness pre-monsoon rains after mid-June,” he pointed out.

He said that it is also expected that pre-monsoon showers in catchment areas will help to improve water levels in Mangla and Tarbela dams, the two major water reservoirs in the country, which have already reached critical level.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2018.