RAWALPINDI, Feb 4: The second consecutive rainy day in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad caused a delay in schedule of more than 10 flights whereas two flights – from Islamabad to Gilgit and Skardu – were also cancelled.

According to Benazir Bhutto International Airport officials, the flights were delayed due to the rains and poor visibility. They said more than 10 local flights from Islamabad to various cities were delayed by 40 minutes to an hour because of bad weather conditions.

A number of passengers faced trouble due to delay in flight schedule. However, the worst affected were passengers who wanted to fly to Gilgit and Skardu. “The flight was scheduled to leave Islamabad at 7:00pm and the airport management informed us of cancellation just one hour before the departure time”, said Mumtaz Shah, a passenger going to Gilgit.

The day was heavily overcast and an early morning rain hammered the city and continued intermittently late in the night, bringing the mercury down from 10 degree to 8 degree Celsius.

The Meteorological department recorded 25 millimetre (mm) rainfall in Islamabad and 30mm in Rawalpindi, and forecasted isolated rains in the twin cities for the next 24 hours.

The Met Office also predicted cold wave entering the twin cities from next 48 hours. The official said the new cold wave would hit Balochistan on Sunday evening and it would reach upper parts of the country in next two days.

Most of the people opted to stay indoors. There were no business activities as all main markets, city centres, bazaars and shops presented a deserted look.

In many areas of the city and cantonment, electricity remained suspended for several hours causing lot of problems to theresidents.

There were many reports of gas loadshedding in several areas. The low pressure of the gas forced the people to search for coal, wood and other alternatives. The rain also disturbed schedule of congregations to be held in connection with Eid MiladunNabi in various parts of the city.