Rain, strong winds lash twin cities

RAWALPINDI, March 28: Rain, hailstorm and strong winds lashed the Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Monday, bringing down temperature and relief for pollen allergy patients. As black clouds blanketed the twin cities, mud houses were damaged and temporary shelters of kiosks were blown away by strong winds. At many places, trees were uprooted. However, no loss of life was reported. The Met Office recorded a maximum gust of 60 knots (120km per hour) from north to south in the night. The rain and winds brought down temperatures from 27 to 22 degrees Celsius. On Monday, 9.1mm rain was recorded in Rawalpindi and 7.2mm in Islamabad. Amir Warsi, a spokesman for Met Office, termed the rain and winds "routine weather system of March" in the country. Giving an extended outlook of weather, the official said more rain with thunderstorm is expected in some adjoining areas of Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Malakand, Hazara divisions, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. "But mainly dry weather is expected in plain areas of the country during the next few days," he said. Billboards and trees were uprooted along the Airport Road, Peshawar Road, Rawal Road, Jhelum Road, Benazir Bhutto Road, Adiala Road, Islamabad Expressway, and Kashmir Road. In Shah Faisal Colony, some residents have to call Rescue 1122 to remove the billboards from their rooftops. The wind also blew away fibre water-tanks, satellite dishes and rooftops off mud houses in sector I-11, Dhoke Ratta, Fauji Colony, Pirwadhai, Dhoke Chiraghdin and the areas along Nullah Leh. In some areas power supply remained suspended for hours. Officials said Iesco suspended electricity supply because of gusty winds. The rain brought relief for the patients of pollen allergy. "Pollen count usually decreases because rain cleans the atmosphere," said Dr Javed Hayyat, head of infectious diseases at the Holy Family Hospital. Kafiat Ali Raja, an agriculture expert, said the rain was beneficial for wheat crop in the arid areas.