Karachi records 40.1°C as strong dusty winds intensify heat

KARACHI: Karachi experienced intense heat and dusty conditions on Wednesday as the maximum temperature climbed to 40.1 degrees Celsius, according to the Met Office.

The weather department said dusty winds began soon after sunrise and persisted for most of the day. An official said southwest winds were blowing at 24 kilometres per hour, while relatively low humidity levels kept conditions dry.

“The city recorded maximum temperature at 40.1 degrees with 34 per cent humidity that kept the weather conditions dry unlike Monday and Tuesday,” said an official.

The official said residents faced severe heat along with strong winds and dust across the city. At some points during the day, wind speeds reached between 35 and 40 kilometres per hour, worsening the dry and dusty atmosphere. “The Karachiites experienced intense heat accompanied by strong winds and dust, creating harsh weather conditions across the city. At times the winds reaching 35 to 40 kilometres per hour, adding to the dry and dusty atmosphere.”

Hot and dry weather likely to continue

For Thursday, the official said hot and dry weather was expected to prevail in most districts of Sindh. However, partly cloudy skies were likely in Ghotki and nearby areas, where thunderstorms could occur at a few places.

The Met Office also reported very high temperatures in several other cities of Sindh on Wednesday. Hyderabad, Sukkur and Mohenjo-Daro each recorded 45 degrees Celsius, while Mithi and Nawabshah reached 43 degrees during what the department described as intense heatwave conditions in the region.

Temperatures rise across Sindh

The rise in temperatures was not limited to Karachi, with multiple urban centres in Sindh registering extreme heat. The readings from Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mohenjo-Daro, Mithi and Nawabshah reflected the broader heatwave affecting the province.

In Karachi, the combination of high temperature, low humidity and persistent winds made conditions notably harsher than earlier in the week, according to the official. The dry weather contrasted with Monday and Tuesday, when humidity levels had been higher.

The Met Office forecast indicates that the prevailing hot and dry pattern is set to continue in much of Sindh, while isolated thunderstorm activity remains possible in Ghotki and surrounding localities.