LAHORE - Parts of the country received rainfall of varying intensities on Sunday, providing much needed respite to the people from the prevailing muggy weather.
Rain-thundershower, with isolated heavy falls, occurred at scattered places of Islamabad, parts of Punjab including Lahore, Hazara, Kohat divisions and Kashmir, making weather pleasant by causing decrease in the mercury level.
In Lahore, the rain started early morning and continued intermittently till at noon, causing considerable decrease in the mercury level. Short bursts of heavy rains disturbed normal routine life in the morning as rainwater inundated on roads not only in low lying areas but also several posh localities, smashing to the ground tall claims of WASA regarding its preparedness for the rainy season.  It took hours to premier sanitation agency to clear inundated rainwater from roads after stoppage of rains. Massive traffic jams were witnessed on a number of important arteries due to inundated rainwater and portions of roads and slippery conditions.
People come out of their houses in the evening to enjoy pleasant change in weather. Major parks and picnic spots attracted a large number of people including women and children. Huge rush was witnessed at Bagh-e-Jinnah, Racecourse Park, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Jallo Park, Lahore Zoo and other picnic spots in the City. Traffic jams were witnessed in the close vicinity of these picnic spots.
According to the experts, seasonal low lies over North Balochistan and adjoining areas. Monsoonal currents are reaching into most parts of the country. A westerly wave is also affecting upper parts of the country.
On Sunday, maximum and minimum temperature in the City was recorded 34 degree Celsius and 23 C respectively. Relative humidity in the evening was recorded 70 per cent.
Local meteorological department has forecast rain-thundershower associated with gusty winds at scattered places of Upper Punjab (Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha divisions), Malakand, Hazara division and Kashmir and at isolated places of Peshawar, Kohat and Bannu divisions during the next couple of days. Isolated heavy falls are also expected at a few places of upper Punjab and upper Khyber PK.
On Sunday, Islamabad received 105 mm rain, Chakwal 62 mm, Lahore 49 mm, Rawalpindi and Muzaffarabad 38 mm each, Gujranwala 33 mm, Sargodha 28 mm, Saidu Sharif 25 mm, Lower Dir 23 mm, Malamjabba18 mm, Mandi Bahauddin 15 mm, Mangla 11 mm, Balakot 10 mm, Jhelum 07 mm, Kakul and Garhi Dupatta 04 mm each, Mianwali, Murree, Kotli, Lasbela and Sialkot 02 mm each, Joharabad and Kohat 01 mm each.