RAWALPINDI: Rain varying from light to heavy lashed the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Tuesday, heralding the onset of the winter season.

The residents of the twin cities woke up to a sunny day but clouds overcast the sky in the afternoon, bringing rain in many areas.

Some places also received hailstorm.

The rain disturbed smooth flow of traffic in the garrison city, especially on roads which have been declared alternative after the closure of Kutchery Chowk for remodeling.

Gridlock was witnessed on Jhelum Road from Fauji Foundation Hospital to Convoy Road.

Traffic mess was also seen on Bostan Khan Road, from Jhelum Road to Chaklala Scheme-III via Gulistan Colony and Ayub National Park. Motorists had to face problems in many other roads as well.

The Met Office recorded 10 millimetres of rain at Zero Point, 7mm at Saidpur, 3mm at Bokra and 7mm at New Katarian, 5mm at Gawalmandi, 4mm at Pirwadhai and 3mm each at Shamsabad and Kutchery Chowk.

The Met Office said the continental air was prevailing over most parts of the country whereas a shallow westerly trough was affecting northeastern parts and moving northeastwards. “Dry weather is likely in most plain areas of the country.

However, cloudy weather with light rain may occur in Gilgit-Baltistan,” said a Met official.

He said that the rain in the upper parts of country will change the weather and the temperature will gradually decrease in coming days.

He said in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, 13 degrees Celsius temperature was recorded while the westerly wind added chill to the air.

Due to rain-windstorm/thunderstorm (with snowfalls over the hills) over upper parts of the country, the Met Office advised travelers and tourists to schedule their trips particularly in hilly areas keeping in view the weather forecast.

Meanwhile, farmers welcomed the rain as those in the Potohar region had prepared their farms for sowing the wheat crop.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2025