RAWALPINDI: Rain lashed the twin cities on Friday, creating a slushy mess in the low-lying areas, but at the same time bringing respite from the hot weather.

The Met Office has predicted more rains in the Potohar region and warned that heavy rains may generate urban flooding in some parts of the country. The Meteorological Department recorded 27mm of rain at Zero Point, 6mm at Saidpur in Islamabad, 18mm at Shamsabad and 5mm at Chaklala in Rawalpindi.

According to Met Office officials, the monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea were continuously penetrating upper and central parts of the country and this situation was likely to continue in the coming days. A westerly wave is also affecting the western parts of the country.

Hot and humid weather is likely to persist in most plain areas whereas rain-wind/thundershower was expected in Kashmir, Potohar region, Islamabad, upper Punjab and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Heavy falls are also expected in isolated places in Potohar region, Kashmir and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the forecast period.

Rain started on Friday evening and continued for about an hour, but it was enough to expose the improper drainage system. The sewerage system in the cantonment areas adjacent to Leh Nullah remained choked and water accumulated on the streets of the low-lying areas.

People faced electricity shutdown in many areas of the city especially those living along Leh Nullah.

Meanwhile, Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Managing Director Mohammad Tanveer visited different areas of the city and inspected the nullahs and drains.

He said water level in Leh Nullah remained normal due to timely dredging before monsoon season, adding that the civic body was working on protecting lives and property of residents.

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2023