Dust storm in Karachi causes closure of airspace

PMD says dusty winds expected to blow in some parts of Sindh throughout the night.

KARACHI: Many flights to and from Karachi were delayed after a massive dust storm engulfed the city on Monday.

According to the Pakistan Meterological Department (PMD), dusty winds are expected to blow in some parts of Sindh throughout the night.

Winds as fast as 37 kilometers per hour were blowing in the city.

The met department also forecast that weather in most parts of the country will remain dry.

Sukkur ravaged by wind, rain

Earlier, in August last year a heavy dust storm hit Sukkur and areas around it.

The wind was so strong that dozens of billboards, trees and electric poles were sent crashing to the ground. Later, torrential rain followed with an intensity that submerged all the main roads within minutes.

With the first few drops of rain, the power supply was disrupted for most parts of the city. Reports gathered from Rohri and Pano Akil spoke of trees uprooted due to the tremendous wind speed. The roofs of many ‘katcha’ houses and huts were whipped away. No deaths were reported.