Drizzle reported in Karachi as PMD forecasts rain and thunderstorms

KARACHI: Light drizzle was reported on Jinnah Avenue and nearby areas on Monday as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said light to moderate rain with thunder was expected in Karachi later in the day.

The Met Office said rain-bearing clouds had started developing over the northwestern parts of the city. Karachi is likely to remain partly cloudy over the next 24 hours, with chances of rain and thunderstorm activity in different localities.

According to the PMD, the city’s minimum temperature was recorded at 23.3 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature is expected to stay between 29 and 31 degrees Celsius. The department also said humidity in Karachi was recorded at 76%.

The drizzle in parts of the city was seen as an indication of changing weather conditions. Residents were advised to remain careful during thunderstorm activity, particularly while travelling on roads affected by rainfall or reduced visibility.

Earlier, on Saturday, the Met Office issued a broader weather forecast for the country, saying a fresh western disturbance approaching from the west could bring heavy rains to different parts of Pakistan until April 9.

Under that forecast, Sindh is expected to receive scattered rain, windstorm and thunderstorm activity, with isolated heavy falls and hailstorm in Sukkur, Kashmore, Ghotki, Jamshoro, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Larkana and Kambar Shahdadkot on April 6.

The PMD also said light to moderate rain and thunderstorms, with isolated hailstorm, are expected in Dadu, Naushahro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Mityari, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal and Karachi.

Karachi was hit by heavy showers last week, and at least seven people were killed while three others were injured in rain-related incidents in the city. The rainfall on April 2 also caused widespread waterlogging in many areas, leading to severe traffic congestion across the metropolis.

Commuters faced major difficulties as flooded roads slowed traffic in several parts of the city throughout the day. Of the seven deaths reported during the downpour, five were caused by electrocution.

In one of the incidents, a rickshaw driver died after a wall collapsed onto his vehicle in the Old Golimar area during the rain. He died at the scene.