Motorcyclists wear raincoats amid heavy rainfall. PHOTO: MUHAMMAD IQBAL/EXPRESS
The provincial capital witnessed 10mm of rain within 12 hours of Thursday, while other parts of the province also saw debilitating rain and snowfall.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Met Office Director Mushtaq Ali Shah said the Westerlies arrived late this time around, but would stay in the region up till the third week of March, resulting in intermittent rain. The Westerlies are winds which blow west to east and result in non-monsoonal winter rain and snow.
A group of boys taking a ride home. PHOTO: EXPRESS
“The weather system is full of rainfall and snow which can positively impact crops in the region,” he said.
Muhstaq maintained rain was expected to continue till Friday afternoon in Peshawar. “In DI Khan, it could last till Saturday afternoon.”
The director revealed Peshawar received 10mm of rain, Chitral two mm, Timergara four mm, Dir 10 mm, Mir Kani three mm, Kalam four mm, Darosh two mm, Saidu Sharif 12mm, Patan seven mm, Malam Jabba 10mm, Kakol seven mm, Balakot five mm, Parachinar nine mm, Bannu two mm and DI Khan four mm of rain.
Communication breakdown
Heavy snowfall in the upper belt of Swat disrupted communication systems in the region.
According to the Met Office, 10 feet of snowfall was recorded on the mountains of Mankyal, Matiltan, Kalam, Utror, Gabral, Ushu and Malam Jabba. Link roads to these areas have been blocked after landslides and avalanches. As a result, an acute food and medicine shortage is being feared in these areas.
Meanwhile, lower parts of Swat Valley received fresh snow of the season, giving people reason to rejoice. Adults and children alike took to the streets to play in the snow.
In Chitral and Dir, snowfall was recorded at two inches, three inches in Kalam, and one inch in Derosh.
Leaky days
A passenger vehicle lost control and skidded off Chashma Road, near Kundi Model Farm, DI Khan. However no casualties were reported, shared DI Khan police.
Drainage systems in the area have not withstood the continuous rainfall, with water clogging most streets. Police officials claimed even the DPO office has a leaky roof. The power supply has been suspended in several areas.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2014.
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