LAHORE - Parts of the country remained in the grip of muggy weather on Wednesday with frequent tripping and unscheduled load shedding adding to the woes of heat stricken people.
As no significant rain giving system is approaching the country, experts have predicted the prevailing harsh weather conditions to persist during the next 2-3 days.
Lack of rains, winds and abundance of sunshine caused considerable increase in the mercury level during the day and at nighttime. High humidity made the weather oppressive, causing people to sweat profusely throughout the day.
Sibbi remained hottest place in the country where mercury rose as high as 45 degree Celsius. Maximum temperature in Dalbandin, Bhakkar, Dadu, Noorpur Thal and Nokkundi was recorded 44 C, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Rohri, Mianwali, Bahawalpur, Moenjodharo, Larkana and Shaheed Banazirabad 43 C.
In Lahore, maximum and minimum temperature was recorded 42 C and 29 C respectively. Relative humidity in the evening was recorded 33 per cent. People avoided unnecessarily coming out, reducing traffic on otherwise busy roads at noon and in the afternoon. Lahore Canal, as usual, attracted a large number of people including women and children at noon and in the afternoon. Not only youth but also elderly people were seen bathing. At certain places, even women were seen beating the heat by taking a dip in the mud coloured canal water.
According to the experts, seasonal low lies over North Baluchistan and its adjoining areas. Significant moist currents would remain cutoff during next 2-3 days.
Local meteorological department has forecast mainly hot and humid weather for most parts of the country during the next 2-3 days. However, rain/thundershower may occur at isolated places of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Hazara divisions, Kashmir and Gilgit –Baltistan.