As rain ‘drops’, so does the temperature

The maximum temperature plummets by over 10 degree Celsius in the twin cities.

RAWALPINDI:

The maximum temperature in Islamabad dipped to 13 degree Celsius and Rawalpindi 14 degree Celsius following a day-long spell of rain. The lowest temperatures were recorded at 7 degree Celsius in Islamabad and 8 degree Celsius in Rawalpindi.

The slow rain that started late on Wednesday night and lasted through Thursday did not register much on the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) scales, however. According to a 7pm update by PMD, Islamabad received 3 millimetres (mm) while Rawalpindi received 4mm of rain.

Many people opted to remain indoors in the twin cities due to the lower temperatures. The more adventurous, however, left the comforts of their home and braved the cold damp roads of the twin cities, enjoying the rarity of driving in the rain.

The rain also brought with itself hopes for improved water levels at Rawal and Khanpur dams, according to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) in Rawalpindi.

WASA Spokesperson Umer Farooq said that the agency has four months of water stock left in the two dams. He hoped, however, that the rain will help increase the water levels in the two dams, which are the main source of water supply for residents of Rawalpindi.

The water demand in Rawalpindi during winters is 46 MGD. The requirement is fulfilled through 30 MGD from 269 tubewells, 10 MGD from Rawal Dam and six MGD from Khanpur Dam. The rain water will not only improve water level in dams but also help recharge the underground water level, Farooq said.

There were also reports of snowfall in Kalam and Malam Jabba in Swat, Murree and Galiyat.

According to PMD, the current spell will continue across the country until Sunday.

*With input from agencies

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2012.