Several cities in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were hammered by heavy rain accompanied by high winds while several locations recorded hailstorms. Heavy rain caused a rain emergency to be issued in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Kohat, Karak, Mianwali and Dunyapur have witnessed severe downpour and water has accumulated in the low-lying areas.

Rain was also reported from Jhang, Chashma, Darya Khan, Kacha Gujrat, Pailan and other regions. Rainwater penetrated homes and streets and neighbourhoods were inundated in Kundian.

The rainfall also affected electrical supplies in some regions as feeders tripped, creating discomfort to residents.

Rawalpindi WASA managing director claimed that a rain emergency was issued due to heavy rains. All field officers have been mobilised while WASA staff and heavy machinery have been deployed in low-lying regions.

The officials said that the water flow in Nullah Lai was regular at five feet at Kattarian and two feet at Gawalmandi Bridge.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted rain with strong gusts and thunderstorm in different regions of the nation during next 24 hours.

Isolated showers and thunderstorms are forecast in Islamabad and Kashmir, the Met Department said. Isolated regions like Bhakkar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Khushab and Mianwali may also receive heavy rain.

Rain is also anticipated in Attock, Bahawalnagar, Chakwal, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Jhang, Jhelum, Lahore and other districts of Punjab.

Rain combined with strong gusts and thunderstorms may also occur at upper catchment areas of Ravi and Sutlej rivers, isolated heavy showers are likely.

Rain is forecast in Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Karak, Lakki Marwat and Tank in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while some parts of Gilgit-Baltistan may also receive rain.

Hot and dry weather is likely to prevail over most parts of Sindh and Balochistan. The weather is expected to stay hot and humid in southern and plain parts during the next several days, while rain and thunderstorms may continue at certain places in upper and central areas.

 Pakistani boxer Usman Wazir won his 19th international world ranking fight.

Usman Wazir defeated an Indonesian boxer and qualified for the WBA Gold title.

Usman Wazir said that he has won his 19th international fight against an Indonesian boxer. He dedicates his victory to the Corps Commander Peshawar, the Pakistani Army and the police.

He said, “I dedicate my victory to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the ongoing terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Pakistan Army has always supported me.”

Usman Wazir said, “I have qualified for the WBA Gold title, and I will announce the fight for the WBA Gold title soon.”

He said that he will try to win his twentieth fight for Pakistan and hopes for support from the government of Pakistan.

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has suggested increased grid sharing charges for high rise structures and amendments in electricity connection rules for industrial consumers.

Proposed revisions to the Consumer Service Manual state that buildings using dedicated transformers with a capacity of over 500 kVA would be made to pay grid-sharing charges.

Even under current regulations, buildings of ground plus three storeys are not considered to be multi-storey or high-rise buildings and are hence not required to pay grid-sharing payments. The suggested revisions would alter the existing setup.

NEPRA also suggested that distribution companies may be allowed to provide multiple industrial, commercial or bulk supply connections at the same premises, with up to three feeders and combined load of up to 15 megawatts, subject to technical feasibility and availability of capacity at the existing grid station.

The proposed adjustments also affect fees for industrial and steel furnace customers, and revise the conditions for interim disconnections and reconnections.

Distribution firms may also be permitted to impose detection bills for up to 12 months for registered consumers employing fraudulent meters, changing meter readings through software or Bluetooth devices, freezing load profiles or compromising billing meters. The planned detection-bill period would be capped at six months even for domestic consumers.

The public comments on the proposed revisions have been invited by NEPRA and stakeholders have been given 30 days’ time to offer their views till October 25.The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has suggested additional grid-sharing costs for high-rise structures and amendments in electricity connection rules for industrial consumers.

Proposed revisions to the Consumer Service Manual state that buildings using dedicated transformers with a capacity of over 500 kVA would be made to pay grid-sharing charges.

Even under current regulations, buildings of ground plus three storeys are not considered to be multi-storey or high-rise buildings and are hence not required to pay grid-sharing payments. The suggested revisions would alter the existing setup.

NEPRA also suggested that distribution companies may be allowed to provide multiple industrial, commercial or bulk supply connections at the same premises, with up to three feeders and combined load of up to 15 megawatts, subject to technical feasibility and availability of capacity at the existing grid station.

The proposed adjustments also affect fees for industrial and steel furnace customers, and revise the conditions for interim disconnections and reconnections.

Distribution firms may also be permitted to impose detection bills for up to 12 months for registered consumers employing fraudulent meters, changing meter readings through software or Bluetooth devices, freezing load profiles or compromising billing meters. The planned detection-bill period would be capped at six months even for domestic consumers.

ISLAMABAD: NEPRA has floated the proposed revisions for public comments and has given 30 days time to the stakeholders to express their opinions by October 25.