ISLAMABAD: People got some respite on Sunday evening amid the current heatwave, when a windstorm followed by thunderstorm and rain hit the twin cities.
The much-welcomed change in weather came after a severe heatwave, which had gripped Pakistan earlier this week.
Earlier in the day, temperature in Islamabad had again hit 40 degree Celsius, as mercury in Lahore and other parts of Pakistan remained in high 40s.
Meanwhile, strong winds covered the skies with dust and uprooted many trees, but the weekly holiday meant that the routine life wasn’t much affected by the storm.
However, windstorm and rain was not limited to Islamabad and Rawalpindi, as the upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir too.
Earlier, thunderstorm was first reported in Parachinar and surrounding areas during later afternoon, after which the weather system moved westward.
HEATWAVES
Global warming is easily noticeable in South Asia as well as West Asia. Rising temperatures, less and erratic rains, heatwaves, shortened winter season and other factors mean we need to take emergency measures for tackling the situation.
It means Pakistan and other parts of South Asia are experiencing heatwaves regularly every year. In fact, it has become a norm.
Earlier, Pakistan and other parts of the region experienced very little rain during winter. It translated into less snowfall and thus negative impact on water flow in rivers.
On the other hand, ill-planned urban development has forced to leave millions of people at the mercy of Mother Nature. That’s why urban centres in Pakistan are now experiencing “oven effect” in summers.
When it comes to agriculture, crop pattern must be adopted to the new realities of a world witnessing global warming so that the state can ensure food security for the millions of people.
