Karachi faces persistent rainfall as city braces for more showers

Traffic police urge motorcyclists to stay left, avoid sudden braking, drive slowly to prevent accidents on wet roads

Since Sunday morning, Karachi has been under the grip of continuous light to moderate rainfall, as predicted by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). The city is bracing for another round of monsoon showers over the next 24 hours, with varying impacts across its neighbourhoods.

The most significant rainfall has been recorded in Surjani Town's Yousuf Goth, where 76mm of rain has been measured, making it the highest in the city so far. Other areas experiencing rain include North Karachi, Federal B Area, Sohrab Goth, Scheme 33, parts of Gulistan-e-Johar, and Gulshan-e-Iqbal.

In regions such as Malir Halt, Defence, Korangi, Landhi, and Quaidabad, light rain has left roads saturated and conditions slippery. The PMD has noted that the rain system persists over Karachi, leading to cloudy skies and strong winds. 

Currently, the temperature is at 27°C, with a forecasted high of 32°C. The sea breeze is expected to pick up, blowing at speeds of 15 to 25 kilometres per hour, while humidity levels remain high at 88%.

In response to the wet conditions, Karachi traffic police have issued safety guidelines for motorists. 

They urge motorcyclists to stick to the left side of the road and avoid sudden braking to prevent accidents on slippery surfaces. Drivers are advised to reduce their speed and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.

In a broader context, severe monsoon rains have caused significant damage across Pakistan, leading to at least eight fatalities and numerous injuries. 

The heavy rains have battered areas such as Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Toba Achakzai, Qilla Abdullah, Ziarat, Pishin, Chaman, Jacobabad, Sukkur, and Khairpur. 

Flash floods have inundated homes, damaged crops, and washed away roads and bridges. In Balochistan alone, rain-related incidents have resulted in injuries to at least 10 people.