ISLAMABAD: The Meteorological Department has predicted first winter rain in Rawalpindi and Islamabad and snowfall in the upper parts of the country during the weekend.

The Met Office said that a westerly weather system was likely to approach western and upper parts of the country from Friday. It is expected to persist in upper parts till Monday.

Under the influence of this weather system, rain with snowfall over the hills is expected in Gilgit Baltistan from Friday to Monday.

Light to moderate rain and thunderstorm are expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi.

Health expert at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) Dr Waseem Khawaja told Dawn on Tuesday that every week 2, 000 patients are being treated at the government hospital just for allergies, sore throat, flue, skin allergies and even joint pains to mention some ailments that are associated with dust, dry weather and the temperatures getting cooler.

“Rain or no rain, the numbers of corona patients will continue to rise. We strongly advise residents to follow standard operating procedures at all times, avoid enclosed public places and large gatherings and do not leave home without masks. We also discourage eating out besides instructing all to keep warm,” the official said.

Murree and the Galliyat are likely to receive the first winter snowfall between Saturday and Sunday.

Rain-thunderstorm with snowfall over the hills is also expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Charsadda, Mardan, Peshawar, Kohat, Waziristan, Kurram and Kashmir from Friday through Sunday. Similarly, Bhakkar, Layyah, Bannu and D.I. Khan will also receive rains from Friday (night) continuing till Saturday.

Light to moderate rain-thunderstorm is expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Lahore during Saturday to Monday (morning).

Rain-thunderstorm, with light snowfall over the hills is also expected in Quetta, Zhob, Ziarat, Qila Abdullah during Friday (night) to Saturday.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2020