LAHORE: Parts of the country received widespread rains with snowfall over the hills on Friday, increasing intensity of prevailing cold wave by causing decrease in temperature during the day and at nighttime. Widespread rain (with snow over the hills) occurred in Khyber PK, upper and central Punjab, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Drosh and Parachinar remained coldest places in the country where mercury dropped 06 degree Celsius below freezing point. Mercury dropped to -05 C in Astore and Quetta, -04 C in Kalat and Malamjabba.
Maximum and minimum temperature in Lahore was recorded 17 C and 09 C respectively. Relative humidity in the evening was recorded 96 per cent.
Biting cold forced the people to avoid unnecessarily coming out, decreasing traffic on otherwise busy arteries in major cities including Lahore.
Rains added to the woes of motorists and pedestrians as rainwater inundated on portions of roads in major cities including Lahore. Inundated rainwater on portions, roadsides and slippery conditions caused frequent traffic jams on major roads. According to the experts, continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country. The meteorological department has forecast mainly cold and dry weather for most parts of the country during the next couple of days. However, rain (snowfall over the hills) is expected at isolated places in Hazara division, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.–Staff Reporter