Winter rain in Pakistan ends four months of drought

ISLAMABAD - Different cities of Pakistan received their first winter rain Thursday, ending four months of drought, while snow fell in the northern areas of the country.

Rainfall was reported from the North West Frontier Province, the Neelum valley and northern parts of the country, while Pakistan-administered Kashmir received its first snowfall of the season.

Due to landslides, the Neelum valley was cut off from the rest of the country. The transport and electricity systems were also badly affected, Online news agency reported.

In Islamabad and its twin city of Rawalpindi the Thursday morning showers prompted residents to visit parks and other recreational sites and to wear woolens as they enjoyed the pleasant weather.

The rain washed away the dust and brought hope for farmers, while doctors said the showers would bring much needed respite from seasonal diseases like asthma, chest infection, typhoid, nasal allergy, influenza, sore throat, bronchitis and dry cough.

On Jan 22 President Asif Ali Zardari had offered the Namaz-e-Istasqa (rain prayer) after Friday prayers at his official residence Aiwan-e-Sadr here.

Federal ministers and members of the Senate had also joined the president in the prayers.

“He prayed to Almighty Allah for showering His blessings on the nation and for pouring much needed rain so that the dry spell, which is adversely affecting the whole country, could be ended,” Online news agency reported.

He also appealed to the nation to prayers for rain and for the end of the dry spell sweeping the country.

Special prayers for rain were also offered Friday in mosques across the country.

“Drought is going on in Pakistan and despite chilling weather, there is no rain in sight. Dark clouds come, give hope and then leave without a droplet of blessing. Grounds are cracking, crops ruined, dams dry, and people are suffering from many diseases of the dry weather,” a posting on The Pakistani Spectator blog last last month said.