RAWALPINDI: Light rain on Friday morning ended the dry spell in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, while the Meteorological Department forecast more rain with snowfall over the hills in the upper parts of the country from Jan 27 night (with occasional gaps).

In a weather advisory, the Met Office stated that light to moderate rain is expected in Islamabad, Potohar region, from the night of January 27 to January 31. Light to moderate rain (with snowfall over hills) in Murree and Galliyat is expected during the period with occasional gaps, and also in Gujranwala, Sialkot, Lahore, Narowal, Mandi Bahauddin, Mianwali, and Sargodha on Jan 30 to 31.

Cold, dry, and foggy conditions during the night and morning hours are expected elsewhere in the province.

Light to moderate rain with snowfall over the hills is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar) and Kashmir (Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) from the night of Jan 27 to Jan 31.

For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, light to moderate rain with snowfall over the hills is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Bunner, Karak, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Buner, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Bannu, and Kohat from the night of Jan 27 to January 31.

For Balochistan, light to moderate rain with snowfall over the hills is expected in Quetta, Zhob, Ziarat, Chaman, Barkhan, and Makran coast with occasional gaps on Jan 28 and 29.

For Sindh, cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the province, with shallow to moderately foggy conditions in upper Sindh.

It stated that the snowfall may disrupt roads in Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, and Haveli during the forecast period. It advised tourists to remain cautious during the spell.

The Met office stated that rain may be beneficial for the standing crops in the Barani areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It warned all concerned authorities to remain alert and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period.

Meanwhile, on Friday morning, drizzle occurred in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. However, the sun overpowered the clouds, and the weather got clear in the afternoon. The Met official said that the drizzle occurred in Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, and surrounding areas. Dense fog/smog prevailed over plain areas of Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and upper Sindh.

He also said that the continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country. A shallow westerly wave is likely to affect the upper parts of the country on Saturday. “Mainly cold weather is expected in most areas of the country, and very cold in the upper districts. However, rain (snowfall over mountains in upper areas) is expected at isolated places in Islamabad, Pothohar region, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and coastal areas of Balochistan during the evening/night. Dense fog/smog is likely to persist in plain areas of Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and upper Sindh. Very cold weather is likely in the aforesaid areas due to dense fog,” he said.

Meanwhile, to end the ongoing drought across the country, Istisqa prayers were specially offered in the Central Jamia Masjid Rawalpindi for the rain. Punjab Caretaker Health Minister Dr. Jamal Nasir and Wasa Managing Director Mohammad Tanveer were present on the occasion.

The water in Rawal Dam and Khanpur Dam is decreasing day by day, and there is a dire need for rain, Wasa Managing Director Mohammad Tanveer told Dawn.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2024