November 17, 2003	Monday	Ramazan 21, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 16: The much awaited winter showers finally came down over the vast areas of the country and people in and around the capital and its adjoining areas felt the weather change since Sunday morning.

The Meteorological office said more rain and snowfall over the hills was expected at scattered places of upper NWFP, upper Punjab and Kashmir.

The overcast conditions and light showers resulted in a drop of four degrees in the maximum temperature, compelling the people to finally take the woolies out.

It is after a long dry spell that rains have come and the Met office sources said the prevailing system will last at least for the next 24 hours during which more rain and snowfall on the hills is expected.

On Sunday, Parachinar in Kurram Agency of the tribal belt received most rain, measuring 17mm followed by Dir 16mm, Malamjabba 14, Quetta 8, Kalam 8, Chitral 5, Sialkot 4, Muzaffarabad 4, Saidu Sharif 4, Peshawar 3, Murree 3, Bannu 2, Jehlum 1, Kakul 1, Islamabad/Rawalpindi 1, Sibbi/Zhob 1 while drizzle was reported from Lahore, Jhang, Faisalabad and Attock.

Although the mercury came down as a result of the overcast conditions and light showers in the twin cities, spirits soared and people heaved a sigh of relief, hoping for a decline in the growing complaints of cough, soar throat, flu and fever because of the cold dry weather.