Different parts of Karachi plunge into darkness after rain hits city

Business Recorder

20 hours ago

Most parts of the city plunged into darkness soon after heavy rain hit Karachi Tuesday morning, turning the weather pleasant after days of scorching heat.
The port city's residents, on one hand, felt relief after receiving the much-anticipated rain but, on the other hand, the suspension of electricity supply ruined all the pleasure.
Potholes, which are in abundance on Karachi arteries, and damaged roads got filled with rainwater causing trouble in commute.
Meanwhile, Karachi Traffic Police advised citizens to adopt precautionary measures amid rain, reduce speed and maintain distance from the vehicle ahead.
The Traffic Police asked commuters to be cautious of slippery roads and avoid sudden braking on wet roads.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), different areas in the megalopolis received moderate to heavy rains, with Keamari (29mm) and Nazimabad (28.4mm) receiving the highest rain, followed by North Karachi (26mm), PAF Masroor Base (20mm) and Gulshan-e-Hadeed (15mm).
Whereas, the weather advisory department could not record rain in Korangi, DHA and Jinnah Terminal.
The showers offered Karachi great respite, while the Met Office forecast cautioned that the ongoing monsoon spell could strengthen with the risk of urban flooding, gusty winds, and lightning expected to persist until August 22.
In its three-day forecast, the PMD forecast that widespread rain and thunderstorm with few moderate to isolated heavy to very heavy rainfalls are expected to lash Karachi and several other districts of Sindh as strong monsoon currents are penetrating into most parts of the province.
Under this weather influence, Karachi, Larkana, Ghotki, Dadu, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Khairpur, Tharparkar, Thatta and other districts would receive moderate to heavy downpours till August 22 with occasional gaps.
The weather forecasting department also warned that heavy downpour, windstorm and lightning may affect daily routines and cause urban flooding and water logging in low lying areas. Weak structures, electric poles, bill boards, vehicles and solar panels may get damaged during the forecast period, it added.
'Farmers are advised to manage their activities keeping in view the weather forecast. Also avoid unnecessary open exposure during thunderstorm and keep livestock in safe shelters to prevent lightning strike,' the Met Office advised.
A day ago, the megacity recorded a maximum temperature of 38.8 degrees Celsius with relative humidity at 65 percent, while drizzle and light rain were reported in Gulshan-e-Maymar, Korangi, Surjani Town, and Faisal Base, each receiving between 1 and 2 millimetres.