Twin cities receive first winter rain

Islamabad

The twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Sunday received first winter rain, which would not only provide people respite from the dry weather-related diseases but also bring chill in the air.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), light showers and cloudy weather was expected in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in the next 24 hours, which would increase intensity of chill.

The cold and moist winds coming from west and the north contributed to the rain that lashed wide-ranging areas of northern Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Fata, Gilgit-Baltistan and in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

PMD Director Dr. Muhammad Hanif told 'The News' that cloudy weather was expected for two to three days, but on November 3 Rawalpindi and Islamabad would receive heavy rainfall, which would increase the intensity of cold. He said that now farmers could sow wheat because these days are ideal for this purpose.

Peshawar, Swat, lower and upper Dir, Chitral, Malakand Agency, AJK and parts of Mardan district also received rain on Sunday, he said.

He warned people, particularly children, to wear warm clothes to avoid cold winds in initial stage of winter.

The persistent dry spell had led to increase in air pollution hence causing chest and throat infections. However, the rain washed away dust particles and made the weather pleasant.