Rain, strong winds lash Punjab districts

LAHORE: Intermittent rainfall accompanied by strong winds swept through several districts of Punjab on Thursday, bringing a noticeable drop in temperatures and turning the weather pleasant across the province.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that a powerful westerly wave, which entered the region on March 17, continued to affect central and upper parts of Punjab.

Lahore receives moderate to light rain

The provincial capital witnessed moderate to light rainfall in several areas, including Garhi Shahu, Canal Road, Johar Town and Garden Town. The showers provided relief to residents as temperatures dropped significantly.

Attock records highest rainfall

According to PDMA data, the highest rainfall of 25mm was recorded in Attock, followed by Murree at 23mm and Sialkot city at 11mm. Rain and thunderstorms were also reported in Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Gujranwala and Mianwali.

In the southern districts of the province, including Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan, lighter showers were experienced.

NDMA warns of hailstorms and windstorms

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a warning that isolated hailstorms and windstorms could potentially damage standing crops in affected areas. The advisory urged residents and farmers to remain vigilant as the weather system continued to move through the region.

The westerly wave, which has been active since March 17, has brought widespread precipitation to multiple divisions of Punjab, with the upper and central regions receiving the bulk of the rainfall. The spell has significantly altered the weather pattern across the province, with temperatures dropping from the seasonal highs witnessed in preceding days.

Authorities have been monitoring the situation closely, with both the PMD and PDMA tracking the movement of the weather system and issuing advisories for the affected districts. The rainfall varied across the province, with heavier spells concentrated in the northern and central areas while the southern belt received comparatively lighter precipitation.

Intermittent rain and strong winds swept across Punjab on Thursday as a westerly wave continued to impact the province. Attock recorded the highest rainfall at 25mm, followed by Murree at 23mm.