ISLAMABAD: Morning showers on Saturday in northern Punjab and KP prevented development of a tornado-like situation mainly in Peshawar valley and adjoining areas by creating resistance to the fast-moving winds from the northwest.

Most of northern Punjab received gusty winds up to 45km per hour coming from the northwest on Saturday evening after passing through the capital of KP.

The high winds also brought light to heavy rainfall at different places.

A Met Office official said the high heat in the plains of Punjab and Sindh where the mercury level was close to or above 40 degrees Celsius during the last several days invited cold winds from Central Asia and Siberian region.

“This is a general trend in May and June due to the high heat as a vacuum-like situation is created over the vast plains of Punjab, northern Sindh and even northern India,” said the official.

He said early morning rainfall on Saturday helped cool the air temperature over most of KP and northern Punjab, including Islamabad. As a result, the winds coming from the northwest slowed down.

Islamabad received around 15mm rainfall in the morning while Saidu Sharif received around 50mm.

Another round of rainfall was received in KP, Islamabad and most of Potohar in the evening.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2018