Early morning showers bring respite from hot, humid weather

ISLAMABAD:  In the early hours of Saturday morning, the federal capital experienced a welcome relief from high temperatures and humidity as heavy rain, accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms, swept across various parts of the city.

According to a spokesperson from the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Islamabad and Rawalpindi received more than 66 mm of rainfall.

The Managing Director of WASA affirmed that the agency is maintaining a high state of readiness, fully prepared to respond to any potential rain-related emergencies. Heavy machinery and personnel have been strategically deployed in low-lying areas to mitigate potential risks.

Rainfall measurements in various areas include 33 mm in Saidpur, 14 mm in Golra, 28 mm in Bokra, 46 mm at PMD, 39 mm in Shamsabad, and a substantial 66 mm in Chaklala. Notably, the water level in Rawalpindi’s Nala Lai reached 8 feet at Katariyan, with 5 feet of water flow recorded at the Gawalmandi Bridge.

Heavy rainfall expected from Friday

The Meteorological Office had previously forecasted rain, wind, and thunderstorms in the region from September 15th to the 20th, with occasional breaks.

The Met Office further informed that moderate monsoon currents from the Bay of Bengal are expected to penetrate the upper regions of the country starting in the evening or night of September 15th. Additionally, a westerly wave is anticipated to enter these areas on September 16th. As a result of these weather patterns:

Kashmir, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur, along with Gilgit Baltistan covering Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar, as well as Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Kohat, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, and Nowshera can expect rain, wind, and thunderstorms from September 15th (evening/night) to September 20th, with intermittent periods of relief.

Additionally, regions including Kurram, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Karak, Waziristan, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, and Bhakkar are forecasted to experience rain, wind, and thunderstorms from the evening or night of September 16th to September 18th, with intermittent breaks.

Lastly, in areas such as Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Musa Khel, Barkhan, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar, Mirpurkhas, Khairpur, Tharparkar, Umer Kot, and Sanghar, similar weather conditions are expected during the mentioned period.