Country receives first monsoon rains

QUETTA/SUKKUR: Rain hit several parts of the country bringing respite to the sizzling heat that had took the country under its spell for the last one week.

In Sindh, Khairpur, Larkana, Daharki, Sukkur, Ghotki and Mirpur received its first monsoon rain.

At Sukkur, 40 feeders tripped due to rain resulting in power outages in several localities.

Heavy thunderstorms lashed Quetta for over an hour inundating streets. At least three people were killed in rain related incidents.

Faisalabad, Bahawalpur and Sahiwal received rain with strong winds.

At Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Swat, Lower Dir and Murree received rain turning the weather pleasant.

On Monday, the Met Office had predicted the onset of monsoon in the coming week.

Monsoon rains are likely to start from upper parts of the country that will spread towards central and southern parts of the country during the week, their statement said.

During the first spell of monsoon, widespread rains with isolated heavy thundershowers accompanied by strong gusty winds are expected in Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA and Kashmir. While scattered rains/dust-thundershowers are also expected in Sindh and Balochistan during the coming week.