First monsoon rain provides instant relief to Punjab

Published July 5, 2019
The combination of heat and the enhanced humidity created suffocating weather conditions. — AFP/File
The combination of heat and the enhanced humidity created suffocating weather conditions. — AFP/File

LAHORE: First monsoon rain that was coupled with a windstorm provided instant relief to people in Lahore and some other cities in Punjab against the prolonged heat spell on Thursday, and the Met department says the rainfall activity is likely to extend to the next week.

The Flood Forecasting Division said the rainfall activity was likely to increase over the upper catchments of all the major rivers along with north and northeast Balochistan and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

It was extremely hot and humid in Lahore till 2pm. The combination of heat and the enhanced humidity created suffocating weather conditions which appeared to be too much for people especially children and the elderly.

And then strong wind began to blow away heat from the city all of a sudden. A windstorm that was coupled with rain lashed the city at around 4:30pm, providing relief to people as it dropped the day’s 41 degrees Celsius maximum temperature to 26 degrees Celsius.

It was cloudy to partly cloudy in the evening and there were chances of more rain.

The Met department said it also rained in some other cities in Punjab, including Kasur.

The FFD said an approaching westerly wave lay over northeast Afghanistan and adjoining areas. Moist monsoon currents from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea are penetrating upper parts of the country up to 4,000 feet and are likely to strengthen in the coming days.

The Met department forecast dust-thunderstorm/rain with gusty winds at isolated places in Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha divisions, Islamabad, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan in the next 24 hours.

Dust raising winds are also expected in Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur divisions.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

To drag a critical ally like Saudi Arabia into unfounded conspiracies is detrimental to Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...