LAHORE - Plains of the country including Lahore received scattered rains with windstorm yesterday, providing much needed relief to the people from the prevailing heat wave.
Experts are seeing end to two days relief from the heat wave and gradual increase in the mercury level from today as no significant rain giving system is approaching the country during the ongoing week.
Overcast conditions, rainfall of varying intensities and high velocity winds caused considerable decrease in the mercury level during the day and at night.
Rain-thunderstorms occurred at scattered places in upper Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
Strong gusts of wind hit Lahore late night, followed by scattered rains. Patches of clouds, rains and continuously blowing winds helped maintaining the mercury to a comfortable level, much to the relief of heat stricken people.
Maximum and minimum temperature was recorded 33 degree Celsius and 19C respectively. Relative humidity in the evening was recorded 54 per cent.
Windstorm led to collapse of LESCO’s transmission system, suspending power supply to parts of Lahore for 8-10 hours.
Samanabad, Allama Iqbal Town, Thokar Niaz Beg, Johar Town, Harbanspura, Baghbanpura, Mozang, Walled City and Shahdrah remained without electricity for hours, exposing the performance of ‘most efficient’ power distribution company in the country. Many consumers complained that phone numbers mentioned on electricity bills were not responding when they tried to inform the officials about outages in their areas.
People come out of their houses in the evening to enjoy somewhat pleasant conditions. Major parks and picnic spots attracted a large number of people including women and children even on a working day.
Huge rush was witnessed at Bagh-e-Jinnah, Racecourse Park, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Jallo Park, Lahore Zoo and other picnic spots in the City. Massive traffic jams were also witnessed on roads in the close vicinity of these picnic spots.
According to the experts, low pressure area lies over north Balochistan and adjoining areas with trough extending northeastwards. A westerly wave is likely to affect upper parts of the country during next 24 hours. The local meteorological department forecast hot and dry weather for most parts of the country including Lahore during the next 2-3 days.
On Tuesday, Murree received 75mm rain, Garhi Dupatta 60mm, Rawalakot 42mm, Kakul 32mm, Lahore 25mm, Malamjaba 23mm, Faisalabad 21mm, Gujranwala 20mm, Saidu Sharif 18mm, Pattan and Sargodha 16mm each, Cherat and DI Khan 13mm each, Kalam, Parachinar and Bhakkar 12mm each, Jhang 11mm, Mangla and Astore 09mm each, Sialkot and Balakot 07mm each, Kotli and Bunji 06mm each.
, Hunza, Muzaffarabad and Drosh 05mm each, Gilgit 04mm, Gupis, Islamabad, Mangla, Bannu and Dir 03mm each, Mirkhani 02mm, Rawalpindi and Mandi Bahauddin 01mm each.