LAHORE, Sept 16: Widespread rains that were torrential at places lashed Punjab and Kashmir on Friday, swelling the rivers Jhelum and Chenab and endangering human life and property close to them.

The weather pundits took a sigh of relief as the rain generating monsoon low that was spotted over northeast Punjab weakened on Friday. The westerly wave over northern parts of the country that supported the system however persisted.

The system generated rains from Kashmir to Punjab up to Lahore where it started on Thursday night and continued with brief intervals till Friday evening. It lowered the temperatures and kept the weather pleasant but generated fears of floods in the rivers.

Rain was heavy in Islamabad on Friday than in any other city in the country. The Met department recorded 166mm of rain at Islamabad airport.

The Flood Forecasting Division said the River Chenab at Marala, Khanki and Qadirabad was likely to attain medium to high flood level in the next 24 hours.

Low-lying areas upstream and downstream Marala particularly in Bajwat sector may be inundated.

The Jhelum at Rasul was also likely to attain medium to high flood ranging between 120,000 cusecs to 160,000 cusecs. Low-lying areas above and below Rasul may be inundated.

The FFD asked the authorities concerned to adopt precautionary measures to minimise loss to human life and property at vulnerable places.

Meanwhile, the local Met Office recorded 45mm of rain at its Jail Road office and 29mm at the airport. Rain dropped the maximum temperature which was 26 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature on Thursday night was 23 degree Celsius with 100 per cent humidity in the morning and 88 per cent in the evening.

It said Rawlakot also received heavy rain which was 93mm. Faisalabad received 80mm, Islamabad Zero Point 76mm, Sahiwal 72mm, Toba Tek Singh 65mm, Murree 60mm, Mangla 48mm, Bahawalnagar 39mm, Jhang 38mm, Sialkot cantt 37mm, Jhelum 35mm, Kotli 29mm, Muzaffarabad 26mm, Bunji 25mm, Balakot 24mm, Sialkot Airport 23mm, Sargodha 21mm, Parachinar and Pattan 20mm (each), Kakul 17mm, Skardu and Garhi Dupatta 13mm (each),Hunza and Gilgit 12 mm(each),Bannu and Chakwal 11mm (each).

The Met Office expected scattered thunderstorm/rain with isolated heavy falls over north Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir in the next 24 hours. Isolated thunderstorm/rain is also likely in south and southeast Punjab and southeast Sindh.