‘Rains will continue, expect May to be cool’

Staff Report

LAHORE: Light rain showers on Tuesday night caused the temperature to drop eight to 10 degrees below the average temperatures for this time of the year. The Meteorological Department has forecast that May will be cool and thunderstorm and scattered rain will continue.

A fresh westerly breeze –an unusual phenomenon for May – kept the maximum temperature at a pleasant 26.5 degrees centigrade, at least 10 degrees below last year’s reading at around this time of the year. The temperature in Islamabad was reported to be even lower, at a maximum of 22 degrees.

Overnight rains all over Punjab, NWFP, parts of Balochistan and Kashmir have thwarted the usual heat which announces the sweltering summer ahead. “Scattered rains and thunderstorm accompanied by a light drizzle are expected to continue for at least two weeks and a general cooler weather pattern is likely to prevail throughout the month of May,” said Met offices in both Lahore and Islamabad.

“The current system prevailing throughout the region has originated above the Atlantic Ocean. Last week Afghanistan, Iran and even Saudi Arabia registered rains which are abnormal for this time of the year. The expected temperature for May was around 40 degrees for the region, but it looks like we’ll be seeing values around the 30s,” said a weatherman.

The unusually pleasant weather has, however, exacted a heavy price on the country. The standing wheat crop in Punjab was hit by the odd rains. “The current weather has affected the wheat crop in Punjab and NWFP and the mango produce in Sindh. It will delay the arrival of the food in the market,” said the Met office, adding, “It’s hard to gauge the exact economic repercussions at this point.”

Weather pundits say that the current system has nothing to do with the Asian Tsunami which rocked the world earlier. “The tsunami has nothing to do with prevailing weather in Pakistan. There were signs of a disturbed weather cycle from before,” said the chief Met officer.

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