20000202

Feb forecasts show

above-average rain

LAHORE: Against the backdrop of almost dry and drought-like conditions, during the first half of this winter, the rain data gathered from Punjab and the NWFP shows that Pakistan received above average winter rain during January.

This was stated by Senior Meteorologist Riaz Ahmad Khan on the basis of rainfall figures received from various cities during the outgoing month.

The Met expert has forecast that the same pattern is likely to be repeated during February, as a series of westerlies are expected to follow the suit.

According to the data tabulated from eight stations covering a wide-range, Lahore received 28 mm rain against an average of 21.1 mm, Multan 8.3 mm against 7.2 mm average of the month, Sialkot 75.3 mm against 39.4 mm, Bahawalpur 12 mm against 6 mm, Khanpur 5 mm against 4.4 mm, Peshawar 64.0 mm against 26 mm, Islamabad 130 mm, (Zero Point 119.5 mm) against 56.1 mm and Murree 128.2 mm against 126.5 mm.

The rainfall pattern is almost the same in the domain of cities whose data has been tabulated.

The current westerly has already caused showers, and more are expected during the next 24 hours.

Till Tuesday morning, Muzzafarabad received 13 mm, Jehlum 18 mm, Balakot 7 mm, Sialkot 14 mm, Peshawar 6 mm and Sargodha 3. The Punjab capital received only a drizzle but the Met office has forecast more rain in Lahore, Sargodha, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Northern areas, Kashmir, Peshawar and Malakand divisions.

The second wave will soon grip the plans of Punjab, Sindh and the NWFP as soon as clouds clear away and minimum temperatures slump once again. Northern areas are already facing biting cold.ÑAPP