Chill in Karachi

Showers bring mercury down to 19C in the day breaking 13-year daytime temperature record

KARACHI:

The day-long rain that lashed the port city on Monday broke 13-year old record of daytime temperature as the mercury dipped to 19 degrees Celsius at 2pm. In 2008 it had shriveled to 19.6 during the day.

The whole of Karachi division saw a chilly day with thundershowers and moderate to heavy rains from city centre to suburbs.

The showers which started with dawn brought the temperature down sending chills across the accustomed to moderate to hot climate. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) intermittent rain is likely to continue till noon today (Tuesday). From Wednesday, the city will experience a new mild cold wave, which will last till January 4.

The system entering the southern Sindh via Balochistan dumped around 26mm rain on Fasial Air force Base till the end of the day.

Precipitation started after dawn on Monday, initially, the rains started from Gadap Town, Gulshan-e-Hadid, Motorway M-9, Scheme 33 and other areas on the outskirts of the city after which light rain and showers fell in Malir, Saudabad, Azizabad, Baldia Town, Kemari, Kharadar, Nishtar Road and Teen Hatti areas of the city.

On Monday afternoon, another spell of winter rain under the western system swept across the city during which moderate to heavy rains with thunder and lightning were recorded in most areas.

According to the data released by the Meteorological Department, the highest rainfall of 26 mm was recorded at PAF Base Faisal from 8am to 5pm on Monday.

Read More: Above average temperature forecast for Karachi from Thursday

According to the PMD statistics, 18mm of rain was recorded at PAF Base Masroor, 17mm at University Road, 18.2mm at Nazimabad, 15mm at Gulshan-e-Hadid, 14.7 at Old Airport, 13mm at Jinnah Terminal, 12.5mm at Orangi Town, 12.4mm at Surjani Town, 12.3mm at North Karachi, 12mm at Kemari, 12mm at DHA, 12.1mm at Saadi Town and 10.1mm at Jamia-ur-Rasheedia due to which the temperature dropped several degrees compared to the previous several days.

At 2pm the city recorded a temperature of only 19 degre Celsius. Heavy rains also caused urban flooding in many parts of the city with rainwater accumulating in the low-lying areas of the city.

Fortunately, the rains did not cause any loss of life or property in the city. According to Karachi Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz, the rains are likely to continue till this morning (Tuesday) during which moderate to heavy showers are expected in some places.

According to Sarfraz, the moderate cold wave behind the rain system can cause dry and cold weather in the city. During this period, from December 29 to January 4, icy winds from Balochistan will whizz through the port.

However, it is unlikely that the temperature will be recorded in single digits during the new cold wave, as another system will enter Pakistan from December 31 due to which the icy winds will not be very strong. He said it would be premature to comment on the impact on the city on December 31.

According to PMD, the maximum rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours in the month of December was 43.8mm which was recorded on December 22, 1980. The city also recorded the heaviest December rainfall ever in 1980 during which 63.6mm rainfall was recorded, while in the month of December 2006, 61.3mm rainfall was recorded.

According to the Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature in the city was recorded at 16 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature was recorded at 19 degrees Celsius on Monday.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2021.