Fresh spell of heavy rain to hit Karachi from Saturday

With less than 24 hours having passed to Karachi's record-breaking rain, the Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) on Friday predicted another spell of heavy rainfall and thunderstorm in Sindh including the port city from Saturday to Monday.

"Under the influence of this system, rain/wind-thundershowers, with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall, are expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu, Tharparker, Nagarparker, Mirpurkhas, Islam Kot, Umar Kot, Sanghar, Sukkur and Larkana from Saturday (evening) to Monday," an advisory issued by the PMD said.

It warned that the heavy rainfall could aggravate existing urban flooding and waterlogging in lower Sindh including Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Mirpurkhas and Badin.

Rain and thundershowers with isolated heavy falls were also expected in Lasbella, Khuzdar, Awaran, Barkhan, Zhob, Musa Khel, Loralai, Kohlu and Sibbi during Sunday and Monday.

Moreover, rain and thundershowers were also expected in Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Khanpur, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal and Sahiwal during the period.

Heavy downpour may generate flash flooding in Sibbi, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella and Dera Ghazi Khan during the period, the statement added.

The weatherman cautioned the authorities concerned to remain alert ahead of the new spell.

On Thursday, at least 23 people were killed in rain-related incidents, including drowning, structural collapse, electrocution and other mishaps, in Karachi.

“It has never rained so much in the month of August, according to our data,” the country’s chief meteorological officer, Sardar Sarfaraz, told Reuters, adding that the data went back to 1931, 16 years before Pakistan gained independence from Britain.

More than 500mm of rain had fallen this month, 230mm on Thursday alone, according to Met office.

The heavy rainfall also resulted in massive traffic jams in parts of the city due to flooded roads.

The traffic police advised the commuters to avoid driving the wrong side as this will make the situation worse.

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, earlier during a press conference on Friday, said that the torrential rains in Sindh have claimed at least 80 lives, 47 of those belonged to Karachi.