Weather turns pleasant in Karachi as city receives thundershowers

KARACHI: The weather in Karachi turned pleasant on Sunday morning as parts of city received light rain accompanied by thunders. 

The areas which received light to moderate rain include Mauripur, North Karachi, Gulistane-e-Johar and its surrounding areas, Saddar, Soldier Bazar, Airport and Clifton. 

The traffic police in the city has been mobilised to prevent any accidents on slippery roads due to light rain. 

The police also instructed the motorcyclists to ride slowly as there is a risk of accidents due to slippery roads. 

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that the highest rainfall in the city was recorded in Surjani which was 26 millimetres.

Rain recorded in Nazimabad was 21.2mm, Gulshan-e-Hadid 20mm, Faisal Base 17mm, Masroor Base and Keamari 16mm, North Karachi and Saadi Town 15mm, University Road 14.5mm, Orangi Town 14.4mm, Old Airport 11.9mm, and Jinnah Terminal 1.2mm, said the PMD.  

Preparations to deal with rain completed: Murtaza Wahab

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said that the administrations has completed its preparations to deal with rain. 

He said that water corporation's machinery has been sent to different areas of Karachi, adding that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) is also cleaning of the drainage system. 

Wahab added that the KMC staff's weekly off has also been suspended. He said that all the departments are on board on chief minister's orders. 

KE teams available to help

K-Electric (KE) spokesperson said that the power supply in the city is stable and the teams are available to help during rain. 

The spokesperson warned citizens to refrain from using electrical appliances during rainy season as they can cause accidents. "Keep a safe distance from TV and internet cables and broken wires," he added.

The spokesperson further said that due to accumulation of water in the low-lying areas, electricity may be temporarily shut down as a precautionary measure.

Rain to continue till Monday morning

However, Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz earlier said that there was no possibility of unusual rain in the metropolis.

"Light rain is expected today under the influence of westerly system with strong winds," he said, adding that the rain will continue intermittently till the morning of April 15 (tomorrow).

Sarfaraz said that the temperature in Karachi is also expected to drop after the rain with the maximum temperature to be 32°C today.

Meanwhile, the chief meteorologist said that the second wave of westerly winds will enter on April 17 under which winds will enter Karachi from coastal areas of Balochistan.

Karachi is expected to witness heavy rains with thunderstorms under the second system on April 18 and 19, said Sarfaraz.