LAHORE: The central and upper parts of Punjab and the country on Monday received light to moderate rain and the Met Office has forecast the same weather pattern for the next two days as well, including the election day (Wednesday) July 25.

Explaining the weather conditions, the Met officials told Dawn that the monsoon currents of moderate intensity from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are expected to cover the upper and central parts of the country during the period.

Based on the currents, light to heavy thundershowers with gusty winds are expected at scattered places in Lahore, Sargodha, Peshawar, Malakand, Hazara, Mardan, Kalat divisions, Fata and Kashmir, while at isolated places in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, D G Khan, Kohat, Bannu, DI Khan and Zhob divisions – virtually the entire country, except for Sindh, south of Balochistan and Thar desert areas.

Hot and humid conditions are likely to prevail in Sindh, Balochistan and other plain areas of the country.

The pattern of rains may make the situation difficult at the local level as was the case with Lahore on Monday; though, according to the Met record, the city received 3.3 mm average rain, whereas areas like Gulberg (18mm), Johar Town (33mm) and the Upper Mall (27mm) received heavier showers than other parts of the city.

“This is normal pattern of the monsoon currents and would continue for the next two days, which may create trouble for voters,” says an official of the Met Office.

On Monday, the city temperature went up to a maximum of 34.6 degrees Celsius and dropped to a minimum of 28.6 Degrees Celsius.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2018