Karachi receives rain instead of heatwave

Disaster Management Authority warns of heavy rains from today

KARACHI: Contrary to the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s forecast of a short term heatwave in Karachi on Tuesday, the city received a short spell of rain helping the temperature drop down.

The rain was termed as a 'trailer before the storm' by some social media users.

The morning in the city was humid and warm due to the low sea breeze. However, in the afternoon the hot weather was tempered by the scattered rainfall.



Eastern parts of the city, including Malir, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Korangi were the first to receive rainfall which soon reached southern areas of Defence and Clifton.

Some areas of the city were also affected by heavy winds. The gusts resulted in trees falling at Teen Talwar, Sharae Faisal and near Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

According to Met office spokesperson Dr Abdul Rashid, there are slight chances of showers in the early hours of Wednesday. However, sometimes monsoon systems react faster and can cause early short term rains before the system has actually reached, he said. Dr Rashid added that the short rainfall was scattered and it helped dropping the temperature from 40°C to 34°C.



The rain that citizens of Karachi experienced on Tuesday was not the actual monsoon system, Dr Rashid revealed. It was a pre-system rain, he said. According to him, the system will remain stronger from August 30 till September 1 and after that it will lose its intensity. During these days, thundershowers, moderate to heavy rainfall, with strong gusty winds may occur in the lower divisions of the province, including Karachi and eastern districts of Balochistan, he said.

Gusts of wind with rainfall on August 29 also uprooted trees in some areas. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN

The city will receive heavy rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday, Dr Rashid predicted. The heavy rains may cause urban flooding in Karachi, Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas on Wednesday and Thursday and flash flooding in the vulnerable nullas and streams of eastern Balochistan, he warned.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority has also issued a warning letter to the commissioners and municipal authorities of Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Shaheed Benazirabad, asking them to ensure all precautionary measures have been taken to avoid any untoward situation.

Fishermen warned

Livestock and Fisheries Minister Muhammad Ali Malkani declared a rain emergency in his department and leaves of all officials were cancelled with the directives to the officers on leave to report at their headquarters immediately.



According to the announcement issued by the livestock and fisheries department, all the field officers were directed to work round the clock, ensuring the availability of medicines, vaccines and life-saving drugs along with mobile units for performing veterinary aid in any emergency.

Fishermen were advised to not go deep at sea for one week and take precautionary measures. Officers of the fisheries wing were directed to be present at their headquarters and pass the necessary directions to the fishermen.

Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum Chairperson Muhammad Ali Shah told the Express Tribune that due to the early warning, fishermen have started to return at the jetty from the open sea and a wireless message has been sent to those who are still at sea so that they can return before the heavy rains.