RAWALPINDI: While strong winds and light drizzle on Monday offered the residents of the twin cities some respite from the sweltering heat over the last two weeks, the winds caused an accident at Benazir Bhutto International Airport.

The strong winds caused a luggage container parked on the runway at the airport to hit a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft, ready to take-off.

The plane was damaged but no passenger or member of staff was injured in the incident.The PIA flight PK-701 to Manchester was preparing for take-off at Bay #8 when the strong winds picked up a luggage container and tossed it across the runway. The containerhitthe rightengine ofthe plane, damaging it.

The flight was delayed as all passengers on board had to be of floaded and shif ted to an alternative plane.

The damaged PIA plane was grounded for repairs and an inquiry was launched into the incident.

The PIA spokesperson was not available to comment on the incident.

A similar accident took place at the airport in July 2014 because of strong winds which were blowing at a speed of 125 kilometres per hour.

A commercial plane of a private airline was parked on the runway at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport when it waspushed forward by the wind causing it to first hit the baggage trolleys on the runway and then hit a wall of the office of the airport handling services.

The nose of the aircraft was partially damaged in the incident, however, no loss of life or injury was reported.

Meanwhile, the light rainfall was welcomed by the residents of the city, especially those living in slum areas without adequate cooling arrangements.

The rain caused the temperature to drop by five degrees, bringing it down from 36 degrees Celsius to 31 degree Celsius in Islamabad and from 37 degree Celsius to 32 degree Celsius in Rawalpindi.

According to the Met Office, a westerly weather system has approached the upper and central parts of the country and is causing light rain, thunder and duststorms in many parts of the country includingRawalpindi and Islamabad in the next 24 to 36 hours.

Rida Malik, a shopper at Saddar, said: `For the last two weeks, the heat forced people to stay indoors, especially during the afternoon but today the light rain and cool breeze has made the weather pleasant and we have been able to step out for errands.

A resident of Westridge, Saad Matloob, said: `After two weeks, we were able to switch off air conditioners in the afternoon and open windows to enjoy the fresh air.

He said he was taking his family out to a park to enjoy the weather.

A shopkeeper in Saddar said that residents had been forced to survive in the summer heat without electricity.

`At least for two days, the weather will be a bit bearable,` he said.