Cold waves grips Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan; Punjab to receive more rains.

RAWALPINDI, November 11, 2009 (Balochistan Times ): The recent wet spell has abruptly started the winter season in upper parts of the country, where the minimum temperatures have fallen well below freezing points, forcing people to put on woollies and turn on room heaters. According to the met office a cold wave has gripped Gilgit-Baltistan and north Balochistan where the temperatures have dropped by upto 7 degrees below the freezing point, after the first winter snowfall. The lowest temperature was recorded in Qalat -7 C, followed by Skardu -6 C, Astore -6 C, Hunza -5 C, Quetta -3 C, Rawlakot -2 C, Chitral 1 C, Murree 1 C, Muzaffarabad 6 C, Islamabad 6 C, Lahore 8 C, Rawalpindi 8 C, Peshawar 8 C, Faisalabad 8 C and Jhang 8 C. However, the weather remained warm in Karachi with 18 C. Met office expects that a westerly wave would bring some more rain in Lahore Division and southern parts of Punjab during the next 36 hours, while Islamabad and Rawalpindi could receive light rainfall on Saturday morning. According to met office foggy conditions would prevail in Multan and Bahawalpur as the dust particles level has increased in the atmosphere there. Meanwhile the shopkeepers have packed away fans and room coolers and instead started selling room heaters and geysers. Dry fruit and woollies are also in great demand now to beat the cold and to remain cosy in the cold regions.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)