Pindi, Islamabad greet wind and rain after Eid greetings in scorching sun

ISLAMABAD: People in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad took a sigh of relief on Saturday evening when strong winds and rain followed a blazing sun amidst the ongoing heatwave made the Eid celebrations made a tricky affair for them, especially when the day represents sacrificing animals and consuming a lot of meat.

Although the rain was light or moderate [only drizzle in some neighbourhoods] as well as patchy, the change in weather was a blessing, as clouds started developing over the areas along the Pak-Afghan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and later moved towards upper parts of Punjab.

However, the satellite images around 8pm showed that the clouds were getting much thicker with a thunderstorm over Rawalpindi than Islamabad.

Earlier, the federal capital saw the temperature reaching 41 degree Celsius on Saturday. Sibi remained the hottest place in Pakistan with the mercury touching 49 degree Celsius.

Currently, Punjab – barring Murree and surrounding areas – as well as central and southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, most of Balochistan and nearly entire Sindh are witnessing the day temperature of over 40 degree Celsius.     

On the other hand, the severe windstorm and rain produced a complete blackout in Murree and Kahuta, the power distribution system could not cope with the weather as usual. Similar reports were earlier received from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Most parts of the province are also experiencing the heatwave.

It is worth recalling that the people in Pakistan are mostly unable to enjoy any relief in summers given the fact that the archaic electricity distribution system cannot withstand heavy rain or strong winds. It just collapses.    

Earlier, windstorm and rain with thunder hit parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Khyber, Kohat and adjoining areas.

Meanwhile, this sudden change in weather was a result of a shallow westerly affecting Afghanistan since Friday, despite the fact that no one had predicted rain or even any clouds cover over this region.

HEATWAVE

Currently, another heatwave is affecting Pakistan and India, which is most intense to hit the two countries this season.

The Met Office has warned that the temperature will rise further in the coming days, with the heatwave conditions to persist next week.  

Read more: Eidul Azha holidays: PDMA issues heatwave alert

South Asia is one of the worst affected regions, where the effects of global warming/ climate change are very much visible.

Hence, Pakistan received very little rain or snow in the last winter season. That is why many parts of the country faced drought conditions. Meanwhile, the persistent trend of rising temperatures is producing heatwaves.