RAWALPINDI: Heavy rain accompanied by hailstorm hit the twin cities on Saturday night, which till Sunday evening with small intervals.

According to the meteorological department, more rains were predicted in the next 24 to 36 hours.

Rain created a slushy mess on the roads and streets and also caused problems for commuters. The water level at Leh Nullah, however, did not rise.

The Met office said that during the last 24 hours, rain, windstorms and thunderstorms occurred in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Punjab, northeast Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan. Hailstorms were also observed at a few places in Potohar region, such as Islamabad, Murree, Galliyat besides Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

As per the Met Office report, 16mm rain was recorded at Zero Point, 22mm at Golra, 8mm at Bokra and 9mm at the airport in Islamabad. Similarly, in Rawalpindi, 5mm rain was recorded at Shamsabad and Kutchery, and 9mm at Chaklala. In Murree, 25mm of rain was recorded.

According to a Met Office official, a strong westerly wave is affecting the upper parts of the country and is likely to persist for the next 24 to 36 hours.

He said that rain, windstorms, and thunderstorms (with isolated hailstorms) are expected in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, upper/central Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.

“Heavy falls are also likely at a few places in upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Kashmir, and adjacent hilly areas. Dry weather with gusty winds is likely elsewhere in the country,” he said.

According to the weather advisory, isolated or moderate to heavy rainfall may generate flash floods in local nullahs and streams in Dir, Swat, Chitral, Manshera, Kohistan, and Kashmir till April 29.

Heavyfall may cause landslides in upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, which may affect vulnerable locations during the period. Windstorms, hailstorms, and lightning may affect human lives, standing crops, and loose structures like electric poles, vehicles, solar panels, etc. during the period.

Due to unstable weather conditions, the farmers are advised to check the daily weather reports of the Met Office to avoid and minimise crop damage during the harvesting period.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2024