City gets scattered showers after hot spell

An extreme hot day saw scattered showers and sporadic hails in some areas of the Karachi division on Thursday.

A severe heatwave gripped Karachi on Thursday due to the cessation of sea breezes and the prevalence of hot and dry winds from Balochistan.

The mercury soared to 39.8 degrees Celsius while humidity levels skyrocketed to 82 per cent, making the temperature feel like 50°C.

The city experienced scattered thunderstorms, with the highest rainfall recorded at Met Complex (University Road) at 30.5mm. Strong gusty winds swept through several areas, reaching speeds of 75.6 km/h (42 nautical miles), and causing dust storms and reduced visibility.

According to details, the city experienced another scorching hot and dry day on Thursday, with the maximum temperature reaching 39.8 degrees Celsius.

Humidity levels surged to 82 per cent, making the temperature feel like 50 degrees Celsius. The extreme weather was attributed to low-pressure systems in lower altitudes, the temporary suspension of sea breezes, and the prevalence of hot and dry winds from northwest Balochistan.

Most city areas including Port Qasim, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Maymar, North Karachi, Sohrab Goth, Scheme 33, Steel Town, Safoora Goth, Sharea Faisal, University Road, and Bahadurabad, received moderate to heavy rainfall that brought much-needed relief to the city, but also disrupted daily life.

Strong gusty winds swept through the city, with speeds reaching 75.6 kilometers an hour, reducing visibility to just one km due to dust storms.

The dust storms were followed by hailstorm in some areas, including Safoora Goth and Malir, after the intense heat.

According to statistics released by Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the highest rainfall was recorded at Met Complex, University Road, with 30.5mm. PAF Base Faisal received 6.4mm, while the lowest rainfall of one mm was recorded at Old Terminal Airport.

Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz explained that the change in weather is due to high air pressure in lower altitudes. This led to the formation of a weak local development yesterday, causing light rain and drizzle in some areas of the city.

The intense heat and high humidity also resulted in the formation of a moderate local development, spreading rain to several areas. Sarfraz added that the severity of the heat will persist for the next four to five days.

In the coming days, there is a possibility of rain during evening hours due to low-level clouds.