Rains in Balochistan help raise Hub Dam level

Temperatures in city drop with pre-monsoon spell

KARACHI: The pre-monsoon rain spell in Balochistan has slightly increased the water level in Hub Dam.

Official sources at Hub Dam said that the rain water from far-flung mountainous areas of Balochistan took two days to reach the dam. "The inflow of rain water is continuing, and with more rains expected, the dam's levels will improve," an official said. The increase in the water level is recorded to be a little less than a foot.

Asked whether the water level increase would improve supply to the city, the official responded that the total height of the dam was 61 feet and an increase of just one foot was insignificant.

The Dam's lake area received direct rainfall, while a few of its catchment areas lying in Khuzdar and Kirthar Range also received showers, resulting in the slight increase in the water level.



Hub Dam is located in the west of Karachi and is one of the two main water sources of the city. At its peak, it supplies 100 million gallons of water per day to the city. The major beneficiaries of the dam are parts of District West such as Baldia Town, SITE and Orangi.

It was reported earlier this week that the water level at the Hub Dam had decreased to its dead level on account of the insufficient rainfall in the catchment areas.

 

Power breakdown at Dhabeji

Meanwhile, water supply to various areas of the city on Thursday came to a halt due to a power breakdown at the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board's (KWSB) main water line at Dhabeji.

According to a press statement issued by the KWSB, the repair work was under way and the water board had shifted to other sources to supply water to the city.

 

First pre-monsoon rain

The weather in Karachi turned pleasant on Thursday as the city received its first spell of the pre-monsoon rains. Light drizzles were reported in several areas of the city, tempering the summer heat. The rains were accompanied by gusts of wind which blew with a velocity of 40 kilometres per hour.

Children came out on streets to enjoy summer rain. PHOTO: MOHAMMAD AZEEM

The rain spell started in the peripheral areas of Gulshan-e-Hadeed and Steel Town. Later, residents of many areas, including Korangi, Tariq Road, Safoora Goth, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Malir and Saddar received light showers. The highest rainfall of 2 millimetres was recorded at the Old Terminal.

The citizens were also relieved by the drop in temperature. The maximum temperature recorded on Thursday was 33° Celsius, two degrees less than the previous day.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department had predicted the beginning of summer rains in the city two days ago. The met office has also forecast thunderstorms in the city today (Friday) to be followed by light rains on Saturday after which the first rain spell will be over.