LAHORE - Heat stricken people are likely to get much needed respite from the prevailing muggy weather as experts have forecast start of second spell of monsoon rains from Tuesday (today).
Rains/thundershowers are likely to decree mercury level by 3-5 degree Celsius in upper parts and by 2-4 C in southern parts of the country during the current week.
The meteorological department has forecast scattered rain-thundershower (associated with gusty winds) for Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber PK, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Lower Sindh during the next 2-3 days.
According to the experts, well marked seasonal low lies over North Balochistan and its trough is extending northeastwards. Sunday's monsoon low over northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal on Monday lies over coastal Odisha. Moderate monsoon currents from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are penetrating into upper parts of the country.
On Monday, parts of the country remained in the grip of muggy weather with frequent tripling, low voltage and unscheduled load shedding adding to the woes of health stricken people. Lack of rains, winds and abundance of sunshine caused considerable increase in the mercury level with high humidity making the weather oppressive, causing people to sweat profusely throughout the day.
Weather remained very hot and humid in most parts of the country. However, rain-thundershower occurred in Malakand, Hazara, Rawalpindi, Kalat divisions, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Dadu, Bhakkar and Dalbandin remained hottest place in the country where mercury rose as high as 46 C. Maximum temperature in Noorpur Thal was recorded 45 C, D I Khan, D G Khan and Sibbi 44 C.
In Lahore, maximum and minimum temperature was recorded 39 C and 29 C respectively. Relative humidity in the evening was recorded 54 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. 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.