Rain brings relief from heatwave

Forecast says weather is expected to remain hot and humid today and tomorrow

KARACHI:

A low-pressure system in the Arabian Sea brought a welcome relief from the deadly heatwave on Thursday as pre-monsoon showers and thunderstorms drenched various parts of the metropolitan city and its outskirts. Surjani Town recorded the highest rainfall at 22mm, accompanied by strong winds reaching up to 50km/h before the rain started.

According to weatherman, the weather is expected to remain hot and humid today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday), with a possibility of evening thunderstorms and rain. The temperature in the megalopolis has persistently hovered around 40°C, creating a heat index that feels like 52°C for the past five days.

The low-pressure system, which previously blocked the sea breeze from entering the city, finally gave way to rainfall starting from Malir, Kathore, and Surjani Town in the afternoon. The rain gradually extended to North Karachi, Naya Nazimabad, Saddar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulberg Town, Karsaz, Water Pump, Federal B Area, Scheme 33, MT Khan Road, and the old city quarters of Kharadar and Denso Hall.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) data shows that besides Surjani Town, 14mm rain was recorded in North Karachi, 10mm in Gulshan-e-Hadeed, 4.4mm in Malir Halt, 2.5mm in Korangi, and 1.4mm in Nazimabad. The lowest recorded rainfall was 0.3mm at Old Airport.

Karachi's Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz attributed the rainfall to a low-pressure system southeast of the city, which had previously contributed to a prolonged heatwave. He forecasted a possibility of sea breeze entering the city today (Friday), bringing potential rain and thunderstorms in the evening. However, hot and humid conditions are expected to prevail from morning to afternoon.

The PMD's Early Warning Centre has warned that Karachi and surrounding areas may continue to experience extreme heat and humidity until Friday, with intermittent thunderstorms likely.

Moreover, other Sindh districts including Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Thatta, Tando Allahyar, Sanghar, Hyderabad, and Jamshoro may experience rain and thunderstorms until June 29.

Similarly, Larkana, Hyderabad, Qambar-Shahdadkot, Sukkur, Ghotki, Dadu, Naushero Feroze, and Shaheed Benazirabad have also been advised to expect rain and thunderstorms during this period.

Thursday's highest temperature in Karachi reached 40.5°C, with humidity levels reaching 52 per cent, intensifying the perceived heat index to 52°C.