Long overdue: First winter rain breaks extended dry spell in twin cities

Murree receives first snowfall of the season, chilly weather to continue this week.

ISLAMABAD: After a painfully long dry spell which resulted in increased illnesses, the twin cities received light rain while Murree received its first snow fall of the season on Tuesday.

Weather in Rawalpindi and Islamabad turned colder when light rain along with wind began in the morning and continued till late evening. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Islamabad received two millimeters of rain and Rawalpindi one and the spell is likely to continue on Wednesday as well.

PMD National Agromet Centre Director Dr Khalid Mahmood Malik, while talking to The Express Tribune, said the one day shower to some extent has put an end to the long dry spell that had adversely affected the health of people. Similarly, the much awaited and delayed first snowfall of the season in Murree has also officially marked the on-set of winter.

He added that now, on January 20, a moderate rain spell is expected in most parts of the country including Islamabad and Rawalpindi and more snowfall in Murree and its adjoining areas which will continue for more than two days.

Malik further said that from now on, there will be an increase in the day and night temperatures in the twin cities and chilly winds will continue to blow for a few more days due to the snowfall in the hills of Murree.

In February and March, heavy rains are expected which will help provide enough water to reservoirs that would not cause a problem of water shortage in the summer, he said.

Talking to The Express Tribune, a senior physician at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences who wished not to be named said the light rain will help settle dust particles suspended in the environment due to the ongoing work of the metro bus project.

“The dry spell along with dust in the air had a negative impact on the health of residents and in this season, a 25 per cent increase has been witnessed in the number of patients suffering from chest infections, allergies, flu and cough compared to the previous season,” he said.

This time, even antibiotics did not help many overcome their allergies, chest infections and they had to visit hospitals twice or thrice in two weeks, he said.

Former Pak-EPA director general Asif Shuja said this one day rain is a blessing for residents of the twin cities as it would help to clear the fog for a few days and also bring down dust particles and air-borne bacteria.

He said the long dry spell and scarcity of rain in winters is because of climate change, and stressed the need of constructing large dams and focusing on rain harvesting systems to store rainwater to be used for future use.

Second day of traffic mess

Some major roads of the capital, such as Margalla Road, Zero Point, sectors H-8/4 and H-9 witnessed massive traffic jams due to the rain. Additionally, major roads of Rawalpindi including Airport Road, Ammar Chowk and Mall Road witnessed massive gridlocks owing to US Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to GHQ. Coupled with the already slow-driving due to the rain, commuters had to wait in long queues for hours during the day.

Meanwhile, eight cars on Murree Road near the Jinnah Convention Centre crashed into each other. According to the Islamabad Traffic Police, the reason behind the accident was overspreading and slippery roads. No injury or death was reported in the accident.

ITP DSP Muhammad Ilyas Hashmi said since morning, the traffic police through its FM channel kept warning people to drive slowly and carefully owing to the light rain.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2015.