PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa received the first winter rain on Saturday after a prolonged dry spell.

The intermittent rain reduced temperatures and offered relief from respiratory infections. Snowfall was also reported in hilly areas.

It rained heavily in Peshawar from afternoon to night. However, no damage to public life and property was reported.

Hazara division, Battagram and its adjoining areas received the first winter spell of rain and snowfall.

Rain and cold winds also lashed Battagram, Ajmera, Chappargram, Peshora, Shamlai, Batamori, Kuzabanda, while snow fell in Allai, Khapero Soka and Chail Sar, Galey Maidan and Srei Oba areas.

The people welcomed rain and snowfall and said they had got relief from seasonal fever, flu, and cough.

They said the rainy spell would reduce the incidence of seasonal infections. Most residents stayed indoors in hilly areas due to intermittent rain and snowfall.

Mountains of Shangla district also received the first snowfall of the winter season. The rain continued to lash parts of the district for the second consecutive day.

The snow blanketed mountains in the upper parts of Shangla district.

Snow also fell in Speen Ghar, Ajmeer, Gamtal, Yakhtangay and Shangla Top.

The rain and snowfall turned the weather chilly. The residents thronged eateries and restaurants to have fish, chapli kabab and other winter delicacies to keep themselves warm.

The rain began in Bajaur district on Friday and continued until Saturday evening without interval reducing temperatures.

Residents said the mountains mostly located along the Pak-Afghan border had received light snowfall, which turned the weather harsh.

The bazaars and trade centres wore deserted look due to rain as the residents preferred to stay indoors.

The growers said the rain would help with the cultivation of wheat and others winter crops after a dry spell-induced delay of several weeks.

The residents complained about the suspension of electricity in almost all areas of the district after the start of rain on Friday evening.

The Met Office said cloudy weather was expected in most parts of the province on Sunday.

It said widespread rain with snowfall over the hills was expected in Chitral, Swat, Dir, Shangla, Buner, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mansehra, Battagram, Kohistan, Torghar, Mardan, Swabi, Mohmand, Bajaur, Khyber, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Kohat, Kurram, Hangu, Bannu, Karak, Lakki Marwat, North and South Waziristan, Dera Ismail Khan and Tank districts.

The Met Office recorded 14mm rainfall in Parachinar, Chitral and Kalam, 12 in Dir, 11mm in Timergara, six Peshawar, Drosh and Malamjabba, five in Takht Bhai, Saidu Sharif, Mirkhani and Peshawar Airport each, four in Kakul, and three in Bannu and Balakot each.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2020