Rain clouds gather again, spell due Friday

KARACHI:

A fresh spell of monsoon rains is expected to begin in Karachi on Friday and continue for up to three days, while intensified weather systems could trigger heavy rainfall and urban flooding in parts of Sindh, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Tuesday.

According to the Met Office, the new spell of rain is likely to start on the evening or night of July 31 and persist until August 2. The PMD said monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are expected to penetrate the upper and central parts of the country from July 29, while a westerly weather system currently affecting northern Pakistan is forecast to intensify and spread over the upper and central regions by August 1.

Under the influence of these weather systems, heavy rainfall is expected in several districts of rural Sindh, raising the possibility of urban flooding in low-lying areas.

In Karachi, the maximum temperature on Tuesday was recorded at 33.5°C, while relative humidity stood at 69 per cent, according to the Met Office. Meanwhile, Dadu remained the hottest location in Sindh, where the mercury climbed to 44.5°C.