The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast heavy rainfall for Karachi as the monsoon system continues to influence the region.
The PMD has indicated that the system over the region, which includes the Indian Gujarat area and the adjoining northern Arabian Sea, has strengthened and is now a low-pressure system.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also issued a heavy rainfall forecast for Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Tharparkar, Badin, Umerkot, and other districts.
The NDMA's National Emergency Operation Centre has released an impact-based weather alert for widespread rain and thunderstorms expected to affect large parts of the country over the next 12 to 24 hours.
Under the new monsoon system entering the country, rainfall began in various parts of the city on Friday morning. The weather remained completely overcast throughout the day, resulting in a significant drop in temperature and heat intensity.
According to PMD, the highest rainfall recorded in the city from Friday morning until night was 16mm in Surjani Town, followed by 6.8mm in North Karachi, 6.1mm in Orangi Town, 5mm in Gulshan-e-Maymar and Saddar, 2.5mm in Korangi and Saadi Town, 2mm at Jinnah Terminal, 1.6mm in the Old Airport Area, while 1.4mm was recorded in Nazimabad. PAF Base Masroor and Faisal Base each received 1mm of precipitation.
According to PMD spokesperson Anjum Nazir Zaigham, the weather system continues to persist over the entire Sindh region and may intensify further. The current monsoon system responsible for these rains is likely to remain over Karachi until Sunday morning. During this period, there is a forecast of light, moderate, and heavy showers at intervals. The Met Office has warned that some areas of the city may experience urban flooding as a result of torrential downpours.
City plunges into darkness
The city's electricity infrastructure crippled on Thursday night after brief rain showers leaving large part of the metropolis in darkness.
According to K-Electric, over 340 feeders tripped across the city, resulting in widespread outages and leaving many areas without power. The disruption began shortly after light rain. The impact was severe, with power outages reported in Korangi, Landhi, Shah Faisal Colony, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Johar, Federal B Area, PIB Colony, Mahmoodabad, Manzoor Colony, and the Old City Area, among others.
KE says system remains stable
Despite intermittent rain showers in various parts of the city, Karachi Electric's (KE) system remained largely stable during the first monsoon rainfall. Out of 2100 feeders, over 1600 continued to supply electricity without interruption, the power utlity said in a statement on Friday.
As a precautionary measure, KE temporarily shut down power in low-lying areas and feeders prone to illegal connections. Field teams were mobilized to restore power in affected areas, following strict safety protocols. Power restoration began promptly as the situation improved, and electricity was restored in most areas. KE's management remained vigilant and in touch with civic agencies throughout the monsoon spell. KE spokesperson Imran Rana urged citizens to exercise caution around electrical installations, especially dangling wires and tangled TV or internet cables.
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