10 hours ago
Rain draws crowds to parks
Lahore Zoo visitors park their motorbikes at a stand. Citizens flocked to outdoor recreational spots after rainfall turned the weather pleasant on the weekly holiday. photo: nni
A welcome spell of rain swept across Lahore on Sunday, providing much-needed respite from days of heat and humidity and prompting thousands of residents to head outdoors and enjoy the transformed weather. With cloudy skies and cooler temperatures, public parks across the city turned into bustling gathering spots.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), rainfall accompanied by gusty winds affected several parts of Lahore, including Abbott Road, Lakshmi Chowk, Shimla Pahari, Ferozepur Road, Kalma Chowk, Canal Road, Mall Road, Anarkali, Jail Road, Gulshan Ravi, Islam Pura, Township, Garden Town and Sabzazar.
The rain, which reduced the day's temperature to 34 degrees Celsius, brought noticeable relief in humidity and improved air quality. Humidity levels were recorded at 70 per cent with wind speeds of 13km per hour. The temperature is expected to rise again to 36°C in the coming days.
With the oppressive weather temporarily eased, residents made their way to outdoor spaces such as Jilani Park, Jallo Park, Lawrence Garden, Lahore Safari Park, Model Town Park and other local parks in different neighbourhoods.
Families picnicked on the fresh grass, children played among the puddles, and joggers returned to long-abandoned tracks.
"I couldn't stay indoors after the rain," said Sana Ali, a university student walking with friends in Jilani Park. "The breeze and the scent of the wet earth made everything feel alive again."
Vendors in and around parks reported a surge in business as people lined up for corn, snacks, and ice cream in the breezy evening. In Lawrence Garden, elderly citizens and young couples strolled beneath the rain-washed trees, while Model Town Park saw groups of joggers, fitness enthusiasts, and families enjoying a long-awaited breath of fresh air.
The PMD noted that moisture-laden currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are continuing to penetrate upper and central regions of Pakistan, supported by a westerly wave over northern areas.
These weather patterns are likely to sustain intermittent rainfall over the coming days, particularly in upper Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
In the past 24 hours, pre-monsoon showers were recorded across the region, including 91mm at Islamabad's Zero Point, 88mm in Mangla, and 58 mm in Rawalpindi at Shamsabad.
Lahore received 3mm of rainfall.
Despite the widespread showers, southern regions continued to experience intense heat, with Bhakkar, Sibi, and Dalbandin reaching highs of 47°C.
Officials advised the public to remain cautious in low-lying areas due to the risk of water accumulation and urban flooding. For many Lahoris, however, Sunday's rain was not just a weather event -— it was a moment of shared joy.
"This is what we wait for all summer," said Irfan Mehmood, a retired banker watching his grandchildren play in Model Town Park. "After days of stifling heat, today feels like a blessing," he added.
