Different cities across the country received first winter showers today (Thursday) that ended the long dry spell and with it brought down the level of air pollution in many plain areas of Punjab, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel.

The cities which have been soaked with winter downpour include: Lahore, Faisalabad, Manawala and other cities.

In Lahore, the drizzle fell in Town Ship, Kucha Jail Road, Ferozpur Road, Green Town, Chungi Amar Sidhu, Model Town and other adjoining areas.

The rain has brought more chill to the already cold weather. 

However, the downpour has brought the level of air pollution down in the Punjab cities.

Though, in many areas, the electricity has gone with rain but the agriculturists are happy as rain is good for their wheat harvest. 

Met Office on Thursday informed that after a long dry spell, a westerly wave has entered in Northwestern parts of Balochistan and is likely to grip upper and central parts of the country on 28th (night) and may persist till 29th December. 

Under the influence of this weather system, rain (with snowfall over the hills) is expected in Quetta, Zhob, Barkhan, Ziarat, Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Harani, Qillah Saifullah, Qillah Abdullah, Chaman, Pishin, Gwadar, Jiwani, Turbat, Panjgur, Kalat, Khuzdar, Sibbi, Naseerabad and Lasbella on 27th (evening/night) to 29th December.

Light to moderate rain (with snowfall over the hills) is also expected in Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Sargodha, Islamabad, Murree, Galiyat and Pothohar region on 28th (night) and 29th December.

Light rain is also expected in Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahimyar Khan and Bhakkar during the period.

The Met Office further elaborated on the impacts of these showers saying that rain will be beneficial for the standing crops specially in Barani areas.

It said that foggy conditions are likely to subside during the forecast period and temperatures are likely to fall (05-07) °C during the wet spell.

However, snowfall may disrupt normal vehicular traffic in mountainous/hilly areas, the Met office added.

Reporters Faran Yameen and Adnan Sohail