LAHORE - Parts of the province received rainfall of varying intensities on Sunday, making weather pleasant by causing considerable decrease in the mercury level.
The rains, however, disturbed normal routine life as the rainwater inundated roads not only in low-lying areas but also several posh localities.
Rain-thundershower occurred at places in Gujranwala, Lahore, Rawalpindi divisions and Kashmir.
The experts have forecasted more rains with intervals during the next 3-4 days. Proper monsoon rains will start in the beginning of coming month. Experts forecast above normal monsoon rains for upper parts and below normal for central and southern parts of the country.
In Lahore, the rains started late Saturday and continued intermittently till Sunday morning, Short bursts of heavy rains submerged roads and streets in several localities into knee deep water and it took hours to Wasa to clear inundated rainwater after stoppage of rains. The inundated rainwater on roads and roadsides added to the woes of motorists and pedestrians in the morning. Massive traffic jams were witnessed on a number of important arteries. Several incidents of skidding of motorcycles were also reported from various parts of the City.
The rains and windstorm provided much needed respite to the Lahorites from the prevailing muggy weather in the morning. Though the sky remained covered with patches of clouds almost throughout the day, lack of winds and rain turned the weather muggy at noon and in the afternoon, causing the Lahorites to sweat profusely. Lahore Canal, as usual, attracted a large number of people including women and children at noon and in the afternoon.
People came out of their houses in the evening to enjoy somewhat pleasant weather conditions on a holiday. Major parks and picnic spots attracted a large number of people including women and children. Huge rush was witnessed at Bagh-e-Jinnah, Jilani Park, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Jallo Park, Sozo Water Park and Lahore Zoo in the evening. Massive traffic jams were witnessed on the roads at entrance point of these picnic spots.
On Sunday, maximum and minimum temperature in the City was recorded 34 degree Celsius and 20 C respectively. Relative humidity in the evening was recorded 51 per cent.
According to experts, seasonal low lies over North Balochistan and adjoining areas.
A shallow westerly trough is still present over Kashmir and adjoining areas. Weak moist currents from Arabian Sea are penetrating into north-eastern parts of Punjab and Kashmir.
Local meteorological department has forecasted isolated rain-thundershower for Islamabad, upper Punjab (Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Lahore divisions), Hazara, Peshawar, Kohat divisions and Kashmir during the next couple of days. Hot and humid weather is expected elsewhere in the country.
On Sunday, Sialkot received 77 mm rain, Lahore 47 mm, Gujranwala 23 mm, Kasur 20 mm, Mangala 14 mm, Jehlum 12 mm, Muzaffarabad 08 mm, Gujrat 06 mm and Garidupatta 03 mm.