Baking hot day gives way to unexpected downpour

What started off as yet another sweltering day in the metropolis transformed by Monday afternoon into the kind of day Karachiites always welcome as the baking hot sun gave way to overcast skies and rainfall.

From around 37 degrees Ceslsius at noon, the weather turned unexpectedly pleasant as various areas of the city received light to moderate rainfall till the evening. A break in the downpour lasted for a few hours as by 11pm there was heavy downpour with thunder and lightning across the city.

According to TV reports, areas that received the rain included Malir, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e -Iqbal, Federal B Area, New Karachi, North Karachi, North Nazimabad, Liaqatabad, Martin Quarters, Jehangir Road, Jamshed Road, Lasbela, Nishtar Road, Garden, Raamswami, Jobali, Gurumandar, Numaish, MA Jinah Road, Saddar, Lyari, Korangi and II Chundrigarh Road.

Accumulated rainwater slowed down traffic flow in the metropolis, leading to jams on several main roads during the evening rush hour. Reports of power outages poured in as soon as the first drop of rain fell but the situation worsened after the downpour at night with over a 100 K-Electric feeders having tripped.

According to the met office, intermittent rain is expected to continue in the city over the next 24 hours and the current rain spell will last till Wednesday.