Winter Rain in Pakistan: Lahore Smog Eases, GB Gets Snowfall

The first winter rain in Pakistan lashed Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Thursday, ending a long dry spell and bringing a sharp chill to the twin cities.

Light rain began on Thursday evening after a cloudy morning, and fell again overnight, Dawn reported.

Low lying areas were left slushy and muddy. Road construction in downtown Rawalpindi added to the mess for commuters heading home.

What the Met Office expects from winter rain in Pakistan

The Met Office said a westerly wave is affecting the upper and central parts of the country. It said the system may persist over the upper parts for the next 36 hours.

More rain is predicted for Friday in the twin cities. Temperatures are expected to drop further in the coming days, a Met Office official said.

The department said rain, wind and thunderstorms are likely at isolated places in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and the Potohar region, with snowfall over the mountains.

Dry weather is expected in the rest of the country. The winter rain in Pakistan is, for now, mostly a northern story.

Met Office figures showed a light but widespread spell. Murree recorded 3mm of rain, and Zero Point in Islamabad also recorded 3mm.

Islamabad Airport and Saidpur recorded 2mm each. In Rawalpindi, Kattarian recorded 2mm, while Shamsabad, Gawalmandi, Pirwadhai and Kutcheri recorded 1mm each.

A doctor at Holy Family Hospital told Dawn the rain had settled the dust in Rawalpindi. He said cold and flu cases should now fall after rising during the dry weather.

Winter rain in Pakistan brings relief to smog hit Lahore

Further south, the same weather system brought Lahore a break from its worst smog in weeks. Light rain and drizzle fell on the city on Thursday night, Dunya News reported.

Winds blowing since the evening and the light rain brought Lahore's average air quality index down to 111, and the city was expected to remain cloudy on Friday with light drizzle at scattered places, Dunya News said.

The improvement was dramatic by recent standards. Lahore's AQI had touched 451 on Wednesday, deep inside the hazardous range, in IQAir readings reported this week.

The Punjab Environment Protection Department said Lahore ranked 15th among the world's most polluted cities on Friday morning, with its AQI reading of 111 recorded at seven in the morning.

Reuters reported that Delhi overtook Lahore as the world's most polluted city on Friday. Delhi's AQI reached 334 on the IQAir scale, which is classed as hazardous.

India's Central Pollution Control Board put Delhi's reading even higher, at 403, and rated it severe.

The Punjab government has ruled out closing schools and markets this smog season, The Express Tribune has reported. That leaves the winter rain in Pakistan as the main source of relief for city residents at the moment.

Doctors still advise caution, since an AQI of 111 can swing back up quickly. Residents with asthma and other breathing problems should keep taking precautions.

Winter rain in Pakistan turns to snow in Gilgit-Baltistan

In the north, the winter rain in Pakistan arrived as snow. Dawn reported intermittent rain and snowfall across Gilgit-Baltistan on Thursday, creating difficulties for residents.

Snow fell in the upper areas of Gilgit, Diamer, Ghizer, Astore, Skardu, Hunza, Nagar, Kharmang, Shigar and Ghanche. Temperatures in the upper areas dropped to zero degrees Celsius.

Heavy snowfall and landslides blocked the Babusar Pass, the Shimshal Valley and several other link roads. Prolonged power outages added to the hardship of local residents.

The Diamer district police said Babusar Pass had been closed to all types of traffic because of heavy snowfall at Babusar Top. Passengers and tourists were advised to use the Karakoram Highway as an alternative route.

Dunya News reported that roads beyond Baisar were also closed by snow, leaving two oil tankers stranded.

The district administration said Shimshal Road had been closed to all traffic after a landslide at Wain Bain. The closure left residents of Upper Hunza cut off from the rest of the country.

Travellers have been advised to contact the police helpline at 15 for the latest road conditions before starting a journey.

The Met Office has warned that rainfall and snowfall over the hills may cause landslides and slippery roads in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat and Kashmir. Tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, since the winter rain in Pakistan may be welcome in the plains but carries real risks in the hills.

For patients and smog weary city residents alike, this winter rain in Pakistan has brought a welcome first taste of the season.

winter rain in Pakistan: common questions

When did the first winter rain in Pakistan fall this season?

The first winter rain in Pakistan fell on Thursday, when light rain lashed Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Dawn reported. Rain fell again overnight, and the Met Office predicted more rain on Friday.

How much rain did Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Murree record?

Murree recorded 3mm and Zero Point in Islamabad recorded 3mm, according to Met Office figures reported by Dawn. Islamabad Airport and Saidpur recorded 2mm each, while parts of Rawalpindi recorded between 1mm and 2mm.

Why did Lahore's air quality improve so much?

Rain and drizzle on Thursday night, along with stronger winds, dispersed pollutants over the city. Dunya News reported that Lahore's average AQI fell to 111, down from a peak of 451 touched on Wednesday.

Which roads are closed because of the snowfall?

Babusar Pass is closed to all traffic because of heavy snow at Babusar Top, and Shimshal Road is closed after a landslide at Wain Bain, Dawn reported. Travellers are advised to use the Karakoram Highway and call the police helpline 15 before travelling.

Will Punjab schools close because of the smog or the rain?

No. The Punjab government has ruled out closing schools this season, and officials have confirmed that school timings also remain unchanged. A viral notification claiming new timings was fake, the Lahore education chief has said.

Is more winter rain in Pakistan expected in the coming days?

Yes. The Met Office says the westerly wave may persist over the upper parts of the country for about 36 hours, with more rain and mountain snowfall likely, and temperatures expected to drop further.