Rain-wind, thunderstorm occur across various parts of country; cause drop in temperature: PMD

ISLAMABAD, Oct 14 (APP): Rain-wind/thunderstorms with lightning occurred in various parts of the country, including Islamabad and Rawalpindi, on Wednesday night, as forecast by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). The rain, accompanied by wind and thunderstorm, started in Islamabad around 9:00 pm and continued for some time, bringing a drop in temperatures. The department had earlier warned that windstorms, hailstorms and lightning during the Wednesday night might damage weak structures, including mud houses and walls, electric poles, billboards, vehicles, solar panels and standing crops. According to the PMD, mainly dry weather is expected across most parts of the country on Thursday, with chances of isolated rain-wind/thunderstorms in northeast Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and adjoining areas. Dry weather is expected in Islamabad, while most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will also experience mainly dry weather. However, isolated rain-wind/thunderstorms are likely in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Abbottabad and Battagram. In Punjab, mainly dry weather is expected in most districts. However, isolated rain-wind/thunderstorms are likely during the morning hours in Murree, Galiyat, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur and adjoining areas. Most districts of Sindh will remain dry, with hot conditions during the daytime, while dry weather is expected across most districts of Balochistan. Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are likely to experience cloudy conditions with isolated rain-wind/thunderstorms. During the preceding 24 hours, rain-wind/thunderstorms occurred at isolated places in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and the Potohar region, while dry weather prevailed across the remaining parts of the country. Kalam received the highest rainfall in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 27 millimetres, followed by Malam Jabba at 16 mm, Saidu Sharif at 15 mm, Drosh at 14 mm, Upper Dir at 13 mm, Mir Khani at 11 mm, Balakot at 10 mm, Pattan and Chitral at 9 mm each, and Parachinar at 2 mm. In Gilgit-Baltistan, Astore received 15 mm of rain, followed by Babusar at 9 mm, Skardu at 8 mm, Gilgit at 6 mm, Hunza at 3 mm, Chilas and Gupis at 2 mm each, and Bunji at 1 mm. In Kashmir, Garhi Dopatta received 9 mm of rainfall, Muzaffarabad Airport 4 mm, Muzaffarabad City 1 mm and Kotli 1 mm. Murree in Punjab received 2 mm of rain. The highest maximum temperature recorded during the day was 42 degrees Celsius in Mithi, followed by Shaheed Benazirabad and Hyderabad at 41 degrees Celsius each, and Sakrand at 40 degrees Celsius. The minimum and maximum temperatures recorded in major cities were: Islamabad 16-28C, Lahore 21-34C, Karachi 27-38C, Peshawar 19-28C, Quetta 12-27C, Gilgit 11-15C, Muzaffarabad 16-27C, Skardu 4-16C, Murree 9-18C, Faisalabad 23-32C and Multan 24-34C.