Two dead in rain-related incidents

Meteorologist says new cold wave expected from Jan 8; weather systems changing track

KARACHI:

Two people were killed and several injured in rain-related incidents on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday.

The roof of a house collapsed in Mawach Goth area of Baldia Town, killing Abdul Sattar and injuring Rasm Abdul Rashid, 12. Police and rescue workers shifted the dead and injured to the Civil Hospital. Meanwhile, in Haji Mureed Goth area of Golimar, part of the roof of a house collapsed due to heavy rain, injuring three children. Edhi Foundation workes shifted the chldren to Dr Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital for medical treatment.

A man was electrocuted near a bread factory at Bilal Colony Chowrangi in Korangi within the limits of Awami Colony police station. SHO Awami Colony Gulzar Tunio said that Muhammad Adnan had come to the bread factory early in the morning to buy bread. While he was buying bread, the tin shade of the bread factory fell on him. There were electric wires passing over the tin shade which electrocuted Adnan and he died on the spot. SHO Tunio said police have initiated legal action against the bread factory.

Homeless search for cover

The heavy rains in different parts of Karachi left the homeless people distressed. They took refuge under flyovers, bridges and shades of shop to escape the rain and the cold.

Due to heavy rains and severe cold last night, many roads and food streets wore a deserted look. People working in night shifts had great difficulty returning to their homes. Many roads and low-lying areas were flooded due to rains, causing severe stress to the slum dwellers.

Read More: Karachi likely to receive more rain till Sept 25

Cold wave coming

The citizens of Karachi are likely to face another blow of cold winds as weather systems entering Pakistan have changed their routes slightly, owing to the climate change phenomenon, Karachi Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz said on Wednesday.

Normally, the weather systems entering Pakistan from Iran move northwards, he said adding this year clouds were also covering Karachi and southern Sindh before heading to Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir.

Surjani Town received the maximum rainfall of 36.9mm during the last 24 hours under the current western system in the city.

According to the weather synopsis, scattered rain and thundershowers are expected in the port city till Friday. Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast a new cold wave from January 8 which could last for a week.

The minimum temperature on Wednesday was recorded at 14.8 degrees and the maximum at 22.5 degrees Celsius. There was no heavy downpour in any part of the city on Wednesday. However, there were reports of drizzle and light showers in some areas.

According Sarfraz, under the present western winter system, the weather in the city is likely to remain overcast.

Moreover, he said a new western system will enter Pakistan through Iran from January 16. He further said that usually the western system enters the country through North Balochistan and then moves toward K-P and Kashmir.

However, this year the track is coming down abnormally, which is causing rains in different districts of rural Sindh and Karachi.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2022.