Islamabad - Heavy downpour started on Saturday morning in different parts of the country including twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad turned the weather pleasant, giving relief to the heat stricken people.
The rain started in the morning in twin cities, continued for few hours with occasional gaps, compelled the citizens to come out from their homes and enjoy the pleasant weather.
Senior Weather Expert at Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Muhammad Ayaz said that the federal capital received 72 millimeters of rain at Saidpur and 51 at Zeropoint till 1 pm (afternoon). The rainfall recorded at Shamsabad was 26 mm, Golra 38 mm and Bokra 09 mm, Muhammad Ayaz said. With frequent intervals, the official said, the rain would continue today and till Sunday however the system would start weakening from Monday onward.
Muhammad Ayaz said that strong monsoon currents were penetrating in the country and a westerly wave was also expected to grip upper parts of the country during next 24 hours.
He said another monsoon rain spell was expected from August 31 which would bring the day and temperatures down and reduce the intensity of humidity. The ongoing monsoon season would continue till September 15, Muhammad Ayaz said.
According to the met office, rain-thundershower with isolated heavy falls was expected at a number of places in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Kashmir.
The scattered places of FATA, Gilgit-Baltistan and parts of Balochistan were also likely to receive isolated heavy falls downpour may trigger flash flooding and landslides in the vulnerable areas of Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, as weather turned pleasant due to rains, the residents of twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi thronged to Pir Sohawa to enjoy the scenic beauty and panoramic view of the capital.
“The Pir Sohawa resort has beautiful environment with lush green tress. It is a pleasure to have meals at the hilltop restaurants besides enjoying cool and calm natural environment,” Fouzia Wahab, a visitor at the spot said. She said it was amazing to see so many people enjoying the nature.
Haroon Raza, another visitor, said those who had time and resources should drive to Margalla Hills to enjoy such a pleasant weather.
Rehan Khan, who was enjoying the weather with his friends after hiking on Margalla trails, said they had enjoyed the healthy activity.
Out staff reporter from Rawalpindi adds: At least one man was electrocuted to death while five others received severe electric shocks during rain that hit the city yesterday, police and sources said.
Moreover, massive traffic jam was also witnessed at several small and big roads causing problems for commuters and citizens. According to Met Office, about 60mm rain was recorded in the city.
According to police and sources, a 20-year-old man was electrocuted to death on Railway Workshop Road as he along with five other men was trying to remove a hoarding from his shop during rain. The victims were immediately rushed to District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) for medical treatment.
According to Met Office, by 6:00pm it recorded 79mm rainfall at Saidpur in Islamabad, 58mm at PWD Colony, 29mm at Rawalpindi Medical College, 03mm at Chaklala Cantonment, and 42mm rainfall at Golra in Islamabad.
Over 70mm rainfall was recorded in catchment areas of Nullah Leh falling in the federal capital. The rainwater, however, did not result in high water level in Nullah Leh.
The low-lying areas of Rawalpindi remained safe as low rainfall was recorded in those areas.
Umar Farooq, spokesperson for Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), when contacted, said that the water level in Nullah Leh remained well below the threat level. He said that water level was measured up to 12 feet at New Katarian and 10 feet at Gawalmandi. He said that the alarm bells are rung if the water level touches 26 feet in the nullah.
The WASA spokesperson said that the lower rainfall was recorded in low-lying areas and, therefore, there is no threat of flooding. He said that heavy rain was recorded at Faizabad, Satellite Town, and areas alongside I-9 and I-10 sectors. He said that nullahs and drains were flowing normally in these areas as rainwater had receded.
Umer Farooq noted that Managing Director WASA Raja Shaukat Mahmood and other senior officials of the agency remained in the field to monitor the rain situation. He said the WASA had placed its sucker machines and other necessary machinery at low-lying areas to deal with any emergency-like situation.
The WASA spokesperson added that the met office had forecast more rains in next 48 hours. He said that the MD had cancelled holidays of WASA staff and assigned duties to them in the field for next two days.