RAWALPINDI: A sharp chill swept through the twin cities after rain in the twin cities on Sunday with the Met Office predicting more downpour today.

The weather, however, turned sunny in the afternoon but drizzle was reported in some areas in the night. Many people were seen out and about enjoying the frosty weather especially at food outlets serving traditional dishes like siri paya, nihari and fish.

However, there appears to be no solution to the problem of low gas pressure in several city areas for the past two months.

A strong westerly wave was present over northeastern parts of the country and is likely to persist in the upper parts of the country until Tuesday, the Met Office said.

Rain-thunderstorm (with snowfall over hills) is expected in Islamabad, upper/central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and adjoining hilly areas while fog will spread through South Punjab in isolated places during morning hours. Cold and dry weather is expected elsewhere in the country.

Minimum temperatures recorded were in Skardu at -13°C, Leh, Gupis and Astore -12°C; Ziarat -10°C; Kalat -9°C; Quetta, Kalam and Bagrote -8°C; Gilgit -7°C; Zhob and Dalbandin -6°C; Parachinar -5°C and Dir -4°C.

A further drop in temperature will be experienced in the coming days after rain and snowfall on the hills.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2021