Sukkur mayor, PMD dispute rainfall measurement after 'false' claim of record-breaking downpour

As the debate over the recent heavy rainfall in Sukkur continues, Sindh government spokesperson and Sukkur Mayor, Barrister Arsalan Islam Sheikh, has expressed concerns about the accuracy of the Pakistan Meteorological Department's (PMD) data, suggesting it is based on observational methods rather than precise measurements.

In a video statement issued on Monday, Sheikh responded to remarks made by Sardar Sarfaraz, the chief meteorologist at the PMD, who had refuted the mayor's earlier claim that Sukkur received 290mm of rain in a single day, breaking a 77-year record. 

According to the PMD, only 116mm of rain was recorded in Sukkur over 48 hours, with nearby Rohri receiving 134mm. Sheikh questioned the accuracy of the PMD's data, stating that the department lacks authentic rain gauging equipment in Sukkur. 

He emphasised that the Sindh government has installed rain gauges in each of Sukkur's five talukas, with measurements taken every three hours and shared with other departments, including the Chief Minister’s Portal.

The mayor also pointed out discrepancies in the PMD's weather forecasts for Sukkur, noting that their predictions for July and August did not align with the actual weather conditions experienced in the city.

In response to the ongoing discussion, Sindh Minister for Local Government, Saeed Ghani, supported the district administration's claim, stating that 281mm of rain was recorded in Sukkur with five spells of torrential rain observed. 

He acknowledged that while the government has its own system to measure rainfall, the PMD uses towers in specific areas for this purpose.