More rain expected in next few days, says Met office

Karach­i record­s 20mm averag­e; Thatta 77.4mm.

SUKKUR/ KARACHI:

If another system developing from the Arabian Sea meets the monsoon system that entered Sindh from India, there could be more rain in the next few days, predicted chief meteorological officer Muhammad Tauseef on Wednesday. The maximum downpour in Sindh was recorded in Thatta at 77.4 mm.

An average of 20mm was recorded in Karachi with the highest, 27mm, registered in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. After only light drizzles during July and August, it rained across Karachi quite suddenly in the middle of the week.

The rain, as in previous years, was followed by load shedding in different parts of the city, submerged roads and traffic jams as some people rushed home while others headed to the beach.

The meteorological department linked the wet spell with the monsoon season. The current system, which travelled to Sindh from India’s Rajasthan, has weakened. “There is no moisture in the desert to feed it but the other system will get enough moisture from the sea,” said Tauseef.

The monsoon started late this year, which Tauseef credits to global warming.

Rain was recorded at 24.5mm in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, 21mm in North Nazimabad and 15mm in Saddar. The downpour created problems for the Karachi Electric Supply Company’s distribution system as 85 of its feeders tripped. They were reportedly being fixed till the filing of this report.

Shahrah-e-Faisal, Rashid Minhas Road, Saddar and MA Jinnah Road were the main points of traffic congestion. According to the Edhi ambulance service, a man was electrocuted in Baloch Colony.

Weather in Sukkur and its surrounding areas turned pleasant after light showers on Wednesday evening. Khairpur and nearby areas received heavy rains, which destroyed some hoardings and katcha houses in the area. No casualties were reported.

Other parts of upper Sindh, including Rohri, Pano Akil, Ghotki, Mirpur Mathelo, Daharki, Ubauro, Thull, Jacobabad, Kashmore and Kandhkot, also received light showers.

A heavy dust storm hit Shikarpur in the afternoon, destroying signboards and hoardings and disrupting the power supply to the city and nearby areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2012.