Several cities in Pakistan including Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore witnessed low to heavy rainfall on Monday with the weather turning pleasant.
Earlier in the morning today, the twin cities received heavy rainfall. Water and Sanitation Agency (LDA) Managing Director Muhammad Saleem ordered heavy machinery and cancelled the leaves of the staff.
The MD said that a drainage operation is going on in low-lying areas while the Lai Nullah is consistently being monitored. Saleem said that so far, 27 millimetres of rain have been recorded in the city.
The people of Lahore woke up to pleasant water as it drizzled in different areas of the city including Maraghzar Colony, Iqbal Town and Sabzazar, Multan Road, Canal Road and adjoining areas.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that a westerly wave is affecting the western and upper parts of the country and is likely to strengthen during the next 12 hours.
The Met Office said that more rain wind-thunderstorm (snowfall over hills) is expected in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Potohar, Islamabad, upper Punjab and northern Balochistan while, moderate to heavy rainfall (snowfall over hills) is likely in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, upper KP, Murree, Galliyat and Potohar region.
“Isolated hailstorm is also expected during the forecast period,” it added.
“More rain wind-thunderstorm (snowfall over hills) is expected in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Potohar region, Islamabad, northeast Punjab and northern Balochistan. Isolated hailstorm is also expected during the forecast period,” said PMD in its forecast for Tuesday (tomorrow).
Issuing a warning, the Met department said that heavy rain or snowfall may disrupt and cause the closure of roads in Murree, Galiyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Astore, Hunza, Diamir, Skardu, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch and Havellian from February 19-20.
“The possibility of landslides in upper KP, Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan cannot be ruled out during the forecast period,” it added.
