By Hina Kiyani
ISLAMABAD: Moderate to heavy rain lashed the federal capital, like other parts of the country, on Wednesday, bringing relief to the commuters who were bearing the persistent dense foggy conditions during the last month.
The rain continued from Tuesday night till Wednesday evening with occasional gaps and turned into heavy falls at times. The sudden hail storm also accompanied by heavy rain in the city at around 5:30 pm. The city dwellers who had been facing month-long densest foggy conditions which was an unusual thing for them welcomed the rain which not only subsided the fog but proved to be beneficial for the standing crops.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, a westerly wave was affecting the western and upper parts of the country and likely to persist during the next few days.
On Thursday, cloudy weather with rain (snowfall over mountains) is expected in Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Potohar region, Upper Punjab, and Kashmir. Heavy rainfall/ snowfall is likely at isolated places in Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat, and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the period. Fog is likely at a few places in Punjab and upper Sindh. During the last 24 hours, mainly cold and Cloudy weather prevailed in most areas of the country. However, rain (with snowfall at isolated places) occurred in Kashmir, Islamabad, Northeast/central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi, Thatta and Ormara. Fog prevailed over plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh. The PMD has warned that snowfall over the upper parts of the country may affect transportation on January 31 and February 01 therefore the tourists are advised to be cautious.
The snowfall recorded was 02 inches in Murree. The lowest minimum temperatures recorded during the last 24 hours were Leh -07C, Kalam, Gupis -05, Skardu -03, Hunza, and Rawalakot -02C.
