RAWALPINDI: Heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds and hailstorm lashed the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Friday, turning the weather chilly.

The Met Office warned of more rains in the next 24 hours with chances of landsliding in Murree.

The rain started on Thursday and continued on Friday with small intervals, varying from drizzles to heavy spells in most parts of the garrison city and adjoining federal capital.

Due to the rain, an electricity pole fell on the road in Azad Kashmir in Aliot, causing outage in the area. However, there was no report of loss of life.

On the other hand, Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) has already imposed a rain emergency and its staffers were draining water accumulated on roads, including Murree Road and Committee Chowk underpass.

Wasa declares emergency, staff deputed to drain out water from Murree Road, Committee Chowk underpass

On Friday, the meteorological department recorded 29 millimetres of rain at Golra, 23mm at Zero Point, 26mm in Saidpur, 27mm in Bokra and 23mm at the airport in Islamabad.

In Rawalpindi, Chaklala recorded 25mm of rain, Kutchery 31mm and Shamsabad 22mm of rainfall.

According to the Met Office, a strong westerly wave was affecting most of the upper parts of the country.

Rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in most places in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and Potohar region.

The mountains in the northern areas are likely to receive snow.

The Met Office further warned that heavy rainfall might generate flash flooding in nullahs and streams in Dir, Swat, Chitral, Kohistan and Mansehra in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and the tributaries of Kabul River till April 20.

Landslides in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galiyat, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are also expected to affect vulnerable locations.

The meteorological department also warned that windstorm, hailstorm and lightning might damage standing crops, loose structures like electric poles as well as vehicles and solar panels.

Meanwhile, Wasa Managing Director Saleem Ashraf visited different areas of the garrison city to review the cleanliness situation.

Due to the expected rains and landslide warning, Deputy Commissioner Murree Agha Zaheer Shirazi directed the district administration to remain on alert to avoid any untoward situation.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2024