Light rains were reported in several areas of Karachi on Thursday morning, providing some respite from the hot conditions prevailing in the city, a day after the Sindh Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued an alert for the next spell of rain.
Drizzle was recorded in central areas including Saddar, Clifton, MA Jinnah Road and Old City. The rainfall then spread to northern districts such as North Karachi, New Karachi and Surjani Town.
Before the downpours, strong winds hit the port city.
Although the showers were light, they brought a noticeable change in the weather, with cooler winds accompanying the rain in some localities.
There were no immediate reports of disruption, although intermittent rain was expected to continue in parts of the city.
Earlier this week, the Pakistan Meteorological Department predicted a spell of rain, saying the port city, along with Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Dadu, Kashmore, Jacobabad and Larkana, were expected to receive rain and thunderstorms on March 25, 26, 28 and 29.
PDMA Notice
Following the forecast of rain, the PDMA asked its staff to remain on alert with all necessary machinery ready.
According to the alert, strong winds and hail could damage fragile structures and solar panels, while temperatures are expected to drop.
Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel. Tourists and travelers are advised to take precautions and farmers are advised to protect their crops in advance.
The rain alert was issued as per the orders of Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, who chaired a meeting related to weather forecasts.
During the meeting, he directed all commissioners, deputy commissioners and deputy commissioners to remain on the ground for the next seven days.
He asked district administrations and local communities to be fully mobilized.
Authorities have been ordered to ensure drainage machines are available and operational, maintain traffic flow and remove dangerous billboards.
Public awareness campaigns and all precautionary measures should be completed before expected weather events.
Met Office forecast
The Met Office issued a nationwide rain forecast on Monday, warning of wet weather, strong winds, thunder and lightning in many areas until March 30.
A western weather system is forecast to enter parts of Balochistan and intensify on the night of March 27.
Under its influence, wet spells are likely in Panjgur, Turbat, Kech, Awaran, Gwadar, Pasni, Marwar and other districts of Balochistan including Lasbela, Khuzdar, Chagai, Dalbandin, Kalat, Sibi, Kohlu, Quetta, Barkhan, Naseerabad, Loralai, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Nushki, Harnai, Zhob, Qalat and Mastung.
The PMD, in its latest forecast, said that the northern and north-western regions will also be affected by the system and rainfall is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Malakand, Buner, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, Haripur, Mardan, Nowshera, Kurram, Sawabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai and Dera Ismail Khan.
In Punjab, showers are expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree and Jhelum, Attock, Chakwal, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Virkan, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Pakpattan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, Multan, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan between March 25 and 30.
Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) are also expected to receive rain during this period, the weather department concluded.
