LAHORE - Increase in humidity due to pre-monsoon rains is causing people to sweat profusely in sultry weather.
As mercury is still hovering over 40 degree Celsius in plains, unscheduled loadshedding is increasing agony of heat stricken people.
With spell of pre-monsoon rains ending, weather turned muggy in plains of the country on Friday, causing people to sweat throughout the day. The prevailing muggy weather is likely to persist during the next 2-3 days. Monsoon rains are likely to start in parts of the country in the first week of July. Experts have predicted above normal monsoon rains for upper parts and below normal for central and southern parts of the country.
Dadu remained hottest place in the country where mercury rose as high as 46 C. Maximum temperature in Sibbi, Shaheed Benazirabad, Nokundi and Dalbandin was recorded 45 C, Noorpur Thal, Moenjodaro, Rohri and Larkana 44 C.  Maximum and minimum temperature in Lahore was recorded 41 C and 26 C respectively. Relative humidity in the evening was recorded 32 per cent.
Harsh weather conditions forced people to avoid unnecessarily coming out, reducing traffic on otherwise busy roads at noon and in the afternoon. Heat stricken people thronged Lahore canal to get some respite from harsh weather conditions. Not only youth but also elderly people were seen bathing in the canal water. At certain places, even women were seen beating the heat by taking a dip in the mud colored canal water.
According to the experts, seasonal low lies over North Balochistan and adjoining areas with its trough extending southeastwards. A shallow westerly trough is lying over Kashmir and its adjoining areas. Weak Moist currents from Arabian Sea are penetrating into northeastern parts of Punjab and Kashmir.
The meteorological department has forecast rain-thundershower at a few places in Kashmir, Hazara, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Lahore divisions. Hot and dry weather has been forecast for remaining parts of the country.