Monsoon rains likely to start from today.

ISLAMABAD -- Director Metrological department Muhammad Hanif said the first spell of monsoon rains will start from Friday (tomorrow) and will continue till July 8. Talking to Pakistan Television, he said more rains are also expected in the second week of July. He said gusty winds are likely to blow in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and Hazara division.

Meanwhile, weather turned pleasant after Azad Kahsmir and Abbottabad received rainfall. However, weather remained hot and dry in the plain areas of the country, he added. He said rain/dust-thundershower is expected during next 24 hours at scattered place of Kashmir/Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Kohat divisions.

Light rain/dust-thunderstorm is also expected at isolated places of Sindh coast. However, hot and dry weather is likely in other parts of the country, he added. Director Met said weather remained hot and dry in most parts of the country. However rain/dust-thunderstorm occurred at isolated places of Kashmir, upper KPK, Upper Punjab.