RAWALPINDI: Tuesday saw temperature drop to -1°C, making it the coldest day of the season so far in the twin cities. The Met Office has said this cold wave will continue in the coming days.

To make matters worse, several localities were hit by gas shortage, forcing people to rely on alternative means to cook meals.

“Usually, the temperature of Islamabad and adjoining Rawalpindi drops to freezing point in December and January. However, Tuesday (Jan 17) was the coldest day of the current winter season after the temperature dropped to -1°C,” said a Met official while talking to Dawn.

He said this was not unusual for the Potohar region in winter.

It may be mentioned here that the temperature was recorded at -4.3°C inIslamabadon Dec 25 in 1984 and -3.5°C in the same year on Jan 28.

Temperature drops to -1°C; cold wave to continue in coming days

On the other hand, a westerly wave is likely to enter North Balochistan on Jan 18 and produce rain/snowfall in parts of Balochistan till Jan 19.

Rain/snowfall (isolated heavy fall) is expected in Quetta, Zhob, Barkhan, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Harnai, Qilla Saifullah, Qilla Abdullah, Muslim Bagh, Kalat, Khuzdar, Turbat, Panjgur and Makran coast on Jan 18 and 19. Partly cloudy to cloudy weather conditions are expected in other parts of the country.

Another weather system is likely to approach upper parts of the country from Jan 21. The weather advisory stated that moderate with isolated heavy fall/snowfall may disrupt and cause closure of roads in parts of North Balochistan. Tourists are advised to remain extra cautious during the spell. Rain will be beneficial for crops and orchards in Balochistan. Temperatures are likely to fall significantly during and after the spell.

Snowfall and rain in Murree

The Met Office also predicted snowfall and rainfall in Murree and thus, the district administration has chalked out a comprehensive plan so tourists and locals would not be affected adversely.

Murree Deputy Commissioner Ahmad Hassan Ranjha told Dawn that the divisional commissioner formed a three-member committee that decided to close roads in Murree in case of heavy snowfall.

The committee comprises of the deputy commissioner, district police officer and executive engineer (National Highway Authority).

He said in the last snowfall, we focused on managing things but roads remained open and there was no limit on the entrance of vehicles in Murree but less people arrived this time due to construction work on Bhara Kahu Road.

He said police and district administration teams have been deployed on different roads of Murree round the clock to man the traffic situation. He said the provincial government already deployed snow clearing machines in Murree.

Gas shortage

Low gas pressure was recorded in many parts of the twin cities. “In many areas, most people installed gas compressors and it affected gas supply. However, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) failed to take action against violators which put people in trouble,” said Mohammad Saleem, a resident of Ch Bostan Khan Road.

“The rate of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) in this season has increased from Rs200 to Rs260 per kg. Most people use coal to keep their rooms warm as there is no electricity or natural gas,” said Ahmed Khan, a resident of Arya Mohallah.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2023