Torrential rain batters parts of Karachi as PMD forecasts more showers

KARACHI: Heavy monsoon rain lashed several parts of Karachi on Wednesday night, inundating low-lying areas of the port city amid a forecast of more heavy showers.

Different parts of the city, including Saddar, I.I. Chundrigar Road, Baldia Town, Defence, and North Karachi, experienced intermittent showers throughout the night.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast torrential monsoon rain across the country from August 1 to 6 with occasional gaps.

In Sindh, the monsoon weather is expected to impact areas such as Mithi, Sanghar, Mirpur Khas, Khairpur, Thatta, Badin, Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, and Dadu, where scattered heavy rain with isolated very heavy falls is anticipated from the night of August 2 to 6.

In Kashmir, areas including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, and Rawalakot are expected to witness rain and thundershowers with heavy falls from the night of July 31 to August 6.

In Punjab, cities like Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Sialkot will experience scattered heavy rain with isolated very heavy falls from August 1 to 6.

Similar weather conditions with heavy falls are likely in Bahawalpur, Multan, and Dera Ghazi Khan from August 2 to 6.

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, areas such as Chitral, Swat, Peshawar, and Dera Ismail Khan will experience rain and thundershowers from the evening of August 1 to 6.

In Balochistan, regions including Khuzdar, Lasbella, and Quetta are expected to see rain and thundershowers with heavy falls from the evening of August 2 to 6.

Gilgit-Baltistan will mainly remain partly cloudy to cloudy, with rainfall activity expected from the evening of August 3 to 6.

**Possible Impacts and Advisories:**

- Torrential rains may generate flash flooding in local streams and nullahs in Murree, Galliyat, and several regions in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab from August 2 to 5, and in parts of Balochistan from August 3 to 5.
- Heavy downpours may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and other major cities from August 2 to 5, and in Sindh on August 4 and 5.
- Landslides may lead to road closures in vulnerable hilly areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan during the wet period.
- Windstorms and lightning may affect daily routines and weak structures such as roofs, walls, electric poles, and billboards.
- Farmers are advised to manage their activities in light of the weather forecast.
- Travelers and tourists should remain cautious and plan their trips according to weather conditions to avoid any untoward situations.

The PMD has advised all concerned authorities to remain “ALERT” and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situations.