Islamabad/Rawalpindi - Light rain brought mercury down in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi yesterday and turned the weather chilly.
According to details, the twin cities received long-awaited winter rain that caused much satisfaction for farmers of the Potohar region.
According to Met office, the rainfall measured at Saidpur, Islamabad, was 23 millimetres (mm), PMD Colony 34mm, Rawalpindi Medical College 39mm, and Chaklala 33mm. The Met office has forecast partly cloudy weather with chances of light rain and snowfall over the hills. According to Met Office, rain is likely during the next twenty hours in both Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Rescue 1122 said that water flow in Nullah Leh was normal both in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. One emergency was reported in Kallar Syedan where a building near Mankyala Railway crossing collapsed during rain. The rescuers rescued an injured man from the rubble and moved him to the District Headquarters Hospital for medical treatment. The wounded person, identified as 22-year-old Faqir Hussain, was stated to be out of danger.
On the other hand, the rain increased miseries for the citizens who are already hard hit by gas loadshedding. The rates of coal, wood and LPG have been jacked up in many areas. The low-lying areas of Rawalpindi were inundated with rainwater. The business of soup, tea, pakoras, samosas and dry fruit boomed with the rain.
“There is zero gas pressure in stoves in this chilly weather and we are facing troubles,” said Amna Bibi, a housewife who resides at Kalyal area. She said the owners of wood stalls and coal shops have increased the prices of alternate fuel stuff.
Amjad Ahmed, a labourer of Jarahi area, said that his house is located in low-lying area. He said rainwater entered his house and damaged beds and other stuff.
Meanwhile, the rainfall has brought joy for wheat farmers in Potohar Region where winter rain is considered lifeline for the crop.
A farmer Ali Waqas of Dehgal area said the rainfall was long-awaited. The rain is good for wheat crop, he said adding that the rain has provided them a chance to use fertilizer for the crop. He said the rainfall in January is always beneficial for wheat crop.