Mercury rising: no let-up in heatwave

City likely to see 39 degrees Celsius temperature on weekend

KARACHI:

The metropolis on Friday experienced a very hot and humid day with rising mercury and humidity causing serious discomfort and suffocation to citizens.

The maximum temperature was recorded at 37.6 degrees Celsius. For the next two days, the met office forecasts a two to three degree increase in temperature. The minimum temperature on Friday was 29.1 degrees Celsius, with a humidity level of 72 per cent, making the weather feel hot and humid.

The Department of Meteorology Heat Wave Alert Centre has said that there is a possibility of two to three degrees increase in city's temperature with mercury touching 38 or even 39 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

Other districts of Sindh remained in the grip of intense heat. The temperature in Mohenjo Daro was recorded at 50.1degrees, Jacobabad 50 degrees Celsius, while Dadu recorded 49.5 degrees Celsius.

The ongoing heatwave in rural Sindh and the partial-heatwave in Karachi, may continue till the end of the month, Sardar Sarfraz, Chief Meteorologist Karachi said.

On Friday morning, the city's minimum temperature was recorded at 29.5 degrees Celsius. Humidity level increased to 72 per cent, leading to the start of a hot and humid day in the city.

The mercury touched 36 degrees Celsius at 11am and 37 degrees Celsius at 2pm. During this period, intense suffocating heat was felt, and a hot gust blew. Due to the suspension of sea breezes and the blowing of westerly winds from a parallel direction, the humidity level remained at 62 per cent. As a result, the intensity of the heat was felt much higher than the actual temperature.

According to the Meteorological Department, the maximum temperature of the city was recorded at 38.2 degrees Celsius.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2024.