Heavy rainfall and windstorms hit different parts of the country including the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The first winter rain has turned the weather cold compelling the citizens to wear warm clothes.

Various cities of Punjab are also expected to experience heavy rainfall with thunderstorms in the next few hours.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has earlier set a forecast for the onset of the winter season with a rain spell starting from the weekend and is likely to persist until November 07.

In the twin cities, the rain-wind-thunderstorm of light to moderate intensity started on Saturday evening, as per the forecast of the PMD, and is continuing with strong winds.

The first winter rain compelled the citizens to take out woollies, blankets, quilts, and, other accessories to keep them warm and prevent themselves from seasonal diseases, especially cough and influenza.

The demand for warm clothes will also be increased after the current rain spell.

In Abbottabad, the winter rain and light snowfall lashed the surrounding areas and mountains. After the rain, the weather has turned cold. Rain and light snowfall also hit the various areas including Thandani and Galiyats.

However, as soon as it rained, gas load shedding started in the urban areas while electricity disappeared in the suburbs.

Khyber, Jamrud and Landi Kotal also received first rain of winter that has increased the severity of the pleasant cold weather.

PMD predicts that under the influence of this weather system rain-wind/thunderstorm as well as snowfall over the mountains with isolated hail storms are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Malakand, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan , Bajaur, Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, Swabi, Nowshera, Kurram, Kohat, Waziristan, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Jhang and Faisalabad till November 07.

Heavy rainfall is expected in Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir, Islamabad, Potohar region, Gujrat, Gujranwala and Sialkot till November 06.