Raindrops keep falling: Intermittent rains turn weather pleasant

More rains forecast in upper parts of country during next 24 hours

ISLAMABAD: The weather turned pleasant due to intermittent rain in twin cities and the upper parts of the country, which started in the wee hours on Tuesday.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted more rain and thunderstorms with isolated heavier rain over the upper parts of the country during the next 24 hours, particularly in Kashmir.

A PMD spokesman said that the current weather system is likely to continue, producing more rains with isolated heavy rainfall in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Hazara Divisions, Gilgit- Baltistan and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.

Heavy downpours are also predicted in the catchment areas of the eastern rivers of Pakistan, which could create flood risks in the rivers.

The PMD warned that due to intermittent rains, there is a risk of landslides along major roads of Hazara division and Kashmir.

The probability of glacial lake flood events is also high in vulnerable valleys of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan.

PMD predicted that the current spell would subside after 36 hours.

The highest rainfall was reported in  Bahawalnagar — 110mm — , followed by  Lahore and, Okara with 105mm and 100mm respectively. Mangla received 46mm of rainfall, Jhelum 40mm, Kotli 38mm, Murree 33mm, Rawalakot 28mm, and Gari Dopatta received 25mm.

“A westerly wave is affecting upper parts of the country. Currents from the Arabian Sea are penetrating into the upper and eastern parts of the country,” PMD Director General Dr Ghulam Rasul said, adding that after 48 hours, dry weather is expected in most parts of the country, except isolated areas in Punjab, Hazara division, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 23^rd, 2015.