Skies overcast with a gathering of clouds, darkening and deepening before a thunderstorm, make hearts burst with the anticipation of rain. The lightness of being seems to pervade society at the first pitter patter of drops from the skies, taking away the heaviness of the sweltering heat. Children splashing in puddles, the rush to fry pakorras to be had with chai, the sound of thunder, the flash of lightning, the coming out on to the roads of motorbikes and cars, youngsters out to enjoy the downpours, the swaying of trees, the dust and pollution in the air washed away, the smell of the earth after. In the subcontinent rain is more than just a change in weather; it is a symbol for romance and blessings from above. Even when the blessings can become too much too handle.

Drizzle, showers or downpours, rains are always romanced in our part of the world

Eos put together images sent by photographers across major urban centres that capture the joy and wonder Pakistanis experience as the clouds teem overhead and rain showers quench the land and answer our prayers for more.

Published in Dawn, EOS, August 5th, 2018