Heavy rain lashes twin cities
Punjab agricultural department terms rainfall devastating for wheat crop
Islamabad. PHOTO: EXPRESS
RAWALPINDI:
Rain and hailstorm lashed the twin cities on Saturday leaving several roads flooded.
Officials of the Punjab agricultural department termed the unexpected rainfall as ‘devastating’ for the wheat crop at the verge of harvesting. The officials said that even the farmers who had harvested their crops but did not pick them were worried about the damage because it was lying in the open fields.
Rawalpindi flood control room officials informed that around 22 milimetre (mm) rain was recorded in the twin cities which continued for almost an hour. The water level in the Nullah Leh near Katariyan Bridge rose to almost seven feet while near Gawalmandi Bridge, it increased to five feet.
The choked drains in the twin cities inundated different roads and the gutters spewed as well due to inflow of rainwater. The rainwater mixed with sewerage water made it difficult for people to cross the roads who had come out to shop groceries during the relaxation in the lockdown.
The Metrological Office said that different areas of Punjab apart from mountainous Potohar region experienced heavy rainfall and hailstorm as well. Temperature also dropped by a few degrees due to rain in the twin cities.
According to Met Offocie, current wet spell was caused by a shallow westerly wave affecting central parts of the country. However, on Saturday, mainly hot and dry weather was experienced in most parts of the country.
Another spell of light rain was expected in Potohar, northern Punajb, and the capital territory, besides Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat and Hazara.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 26th, 2020.
Rain and hailstorm lashed the twin cities on Saturday leaving several roads flooded.
Officials of the Punjab agricultural department termed the unexpected rainfall as ‘devastating’ for the wheat crop at the verge of harvesting. The officials said that even the farmers who had harvested their crops but did not pick them were worried about the damage because it was lying in the open fields.
Rawalpindi flood control room officials informed that around 22 milimetre (mm) rain was recorded in the twin cities which continued for almost an hour. The water level in the Nullah Leh near Katariyan Bridge rose to almost seven feet while near Gawalmandi Bridge, it increased to five feet.
The choked drains in the twin cities inundated different roads and the gutters spewed as well due to inflow of rainwater. The rainwater mixed with sewerage water made it difficult for people to cross the roads who had come out to shop groceries during the relaxation in the lockdown.
The Metrological Office said that different areas of Punjab apart from mountainous Potohar region experienced heavy rainfall and hailstorm as well. Temperature also dropped by a few degrees due to rain in the twin cities.
According to Met Offocie, current wet spell was caused by a shallow westerly wave affecting central parts of the country. However, on Saturday, mainly hot and dry weather was experienced in most parts of the country.
Another spell of light rain was expected in Potohar, northern Punajb, and the capital territory, besides Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat and Hazara.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 26th, 2020.