Cold wave follows rain in twin cities

Rawalpindi: The rain has turned weather chilly as severe cold wave gripped twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad from Monday. According to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) the residents of twin cities will face severe cold weather for next three days.

Current rain and snowfall spell in hilly areas like Murree, Galiyat and Nathiagali will continue for next 24-hours,” Meteorological Department said.

PMD Director Dr. Muhammad Hanif told ‘The News’ that day and night temperature will fall down continuously after the current rainy spell. Kagan, Naran, Muzaffarabad, Sawat, Kalam, Gilgit, Chitral, Murree, Galiyat and Nathiagali have received heavy snowfall, Showers and snowfall in upper parts of the country will continue for next 24-hours, he said.

The health experts said that people particularly children should wear warm clothes to protect themselves from cold, otherwise the can catch cold and cough. they said. They should cover their head and body and use coffee, tea and soup, health experts advised.

People expect that some of the diseases related to dry weather would come to an end after the rain. Farmers are also happy as rain ended the dry spell. Most of the crops in arid areas have already damaged due to long dry spell. The Chief Traffic Officer (CTO), Rawalpindi has issued advisory to the visitors wanted see snowfall avoid going to Murree as the Galiyat and surrounding areas have received 20 inch snowfall till the filing of this report.

The drivers were advised to drive at slow speed and should contact on emergency telephone number of 051-9269200 in case of emergency. Meanwhile, about 20 serious injured persons were shifted to different hospitals in 25 road crashes in Rawalpindi while five minor injury patients were provided first aid. The Rescue 1122 official spokesman Usman Gujjar told ‘The News’ that 18 drivers, five passengers and two pedestrians were among the traffic crashes victims including 21 males and four females.