PMD predicts thunderstorms, heavy rainfall in Karachi for next two days

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Thursday forecast thunderstorms and heavy rain in Karachi for August 21 and 22.

The PMD, while issuing a report on monsoon rains, said apart from Karachi, other districts of Sindh are also likely to receive rainfall.

Director Meteorology Abdul Qayyum Bhutto said that there is low air pressure system near India’s Rajasthan region, which is moving towards the west.

“Under its influence, monsoon currents are entering eastern Sindh, rains in Karachi may continue till Sunday,” the director said, adding that rain is also expected in Thar Parkar, Mirpur Khas, Umerkot, Sanghar, Hyderabad and other districts.

Earlier this month, the fourth spell of monsoon rains wreak havoc in the port city.

Flooded roads, power breakdowns, toppled trees, roads choked with traffic, damaged structures and authorities' negligence and hollow promises – nothing was out of the ordinary for the city's residents as heavy downpours lashed the metropolis.

Multiple roads, including Sharae Faisal - the city's main artery – had been flooded by rainwater, which disrupted traffic on thoroughfares in the apparent absence of pre-emptive measures.

Queues of vehicles stretching up to 10 kilometres were witnessed in many areas, leaving commuters frustrated while several vehicles ran out of fuel, adding to the predicament.