Pre-monsoon rains bring pleasant relief

Pre-monsoon rains have turned the atmosphere pleasant bringing maximum temperature below the normal. The normal date of starting monsoon was July 1 and its arrival 15 days earlier marks the breaking of many year-old record.
Director Forecasting, National Weather Forecasting Centre Akram Anjum told that normal monsoon rains would occur this summer across the country. However Eastern and Northern parts of Punjab, Azad Kashmir and adjoining hilly areas would receive above unusual monsoon rains.
The Met department called the current rains as pre-monsoon showers and forecast a generally cloudy sky with a few spells of rains or thunderstorm in the coming days. He said that south-westerly monsoon current is presently penetrating into eastern and upper parts of the country. The monsoon period starting from July 1 would continue till September. Besides bringing down the temperature, he said the recent rains would protect people from diseases that spread due to unbearable heat.
The ongoing rain spell would also help increase water in reservoirs, he added. Commenting about rain impact on agriculture sector he said the rain would have a positive impact on Kharif crop that is on the early stage of development. Especially in Potohar and Northern areas, Kharif crop would be sown on vast area this year.
According to weather report, scattered rain with isolated heavy falls may occur in Punjab including Islamabad during next few days. Whereas well marked Seasonal Low lying over Balochistan and south-westerly monsoon current from Arabian Sea likely continue to penetrate into Punjab and Kashmir. This weather pattern is likely to persist for another few days.
In NWFP, scattered rain and dust with thunderstorm was likely to occur in Upper NWFP during next two days. In Northern Areas, Kashmir including quake affected areas, scattered to widespread thunderstorm and rain with isolated heavy falls expected in Kashmir during next few days. Heavy rain may generate landslides.
In Sindh and Balochistan, hot and dry weather is expected during next three days. The maximum amount of rainfall recorded during last 24 hours was Sehrkakota 78 mm, Daggar 68 mm, Balakot 67, Kohat 52, Malam Jabba 51, Garhidopatta 48, Peshawar 42, Lower Dir 38, Kakul 34, Saidusharif 31, Tanda Dam 29,Islamabad 27 mm, Muzaffrabad 20, Shinkiari 19, Mianwali 13, Mangla and Murree 10 mm.