RAWALPINDI: Light to moderate rain lashed the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Saturday evening, turning the weather pleasant. The day began with hot conditions, but dark clouds overpowered the sun in the evening, and gusty winds brought down the temperature.

Strong winds were recorded at Islamabad International Airport at 40 knots (80 kilometres per hour) and 20 knots at Zero Point.

The Met Office recorded 2 millimetres of rain in Saidpur, 4mm at Golra, 1mm at Bokra, and 5mm at Zero Point in Islamabad. In Rawalpindi, 5mm of rain was recorded at Shamsabad, 1mm at Kutchery, 1mm at Pirwadhai, 3mm at Gawalmandi, and 2mm at New Katarian. More rain is expected during the next 24 hours.

“The continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country. A shallow westerly trough is likely to affect upper parts of the country,” a Met Office official said.

He said mainly hot and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country, while very hot conditions are likely in southern regions.

However, partly cloudy weather with rain, windstorm and thunderstorm is likely at isolated places in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, northeastern Punjab, the Potohar region and adjoining areas.

“Hailstorm may also occur at isolated places in Kashmir, the Potohar region and northeastern Punjab during night hours,” he added.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2026