LAHORE - Plains of the country remained in the grip of severe heat wave on Friday with experts predicting the prevailing harsh weather conditions to persist during the next couple of days. Frequent electricity outages added to the woes of heat stricken people who avoided unnecessarily coming out, reducing traffic on otherwise busy roads at noon and in the afternoon. As no significant rain giving system is approaching the country, the prevailing heat wave is likely to persist during the next couple of days with even more intensity.
On Friday, Dadu and Bhakkar remained the hottest places in the country where mercury rose as high as 48 degree Celsius. In Lahore, maximum and minimum temperature was recorded 43 C and 26 C respectively. Relative humidity in the evening was recorded 27 per cent.
Lahore Canal, as usual, attracted a large number of people including women and children. Not only youths but also elderly people were seen bathing in the canal water.
At certain places even women were seen beating the heat by taking a dip in the mud coloured canal water. Presence of such a large number of people on both sides of the canal hampered smooth vehicular movement in the heart of the city.