On Friday, as the monsoon season in Karachi officially began, moderate rainfall hit various sections of the city. However, the long-awaited torrential rains have not yet arrived. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the monsoon rains will most likely continue through September.
Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and the 25 associated towns face a huge challenge during this rainy season with their newly elected municipal government. It remains to be seen whether or not their preparations and efforts in advance of the rains have paid off, and whether or not the ongoing development projects will be successful. Notably, rain drains are being built at various locations, and sewerage and water lines have been excavated in some areas.
The mayor of Karachi and other municipal leaders have a great deal of responsibilities during the wet season. The Mayor of Karachi also serves as the Chairman of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board in addition to leading the Karachi Municipal Corporation.
When it rains more than 40 millimeters, Karachi has a history of dealing with waterlogging problems in different neighborhoods. Orangi Town Nullah, Gujjar Nullah, Manzoor Colony Nullah, and Mianwali Nullah are just a few of the more than 300 drains that the mayor claims to have cleaned in preparation for the rains.
The city’s weather was still hot and humid on Friday. The lack of a cool ocean wind made the day feel much hotter than it actually was. Humidity reached 74% in the afternoon, making it feel much hotter than it was outside.
According to the Preliminary Meteorological Data, the highest temperature reached 36.5 degrees Celsius. Sharae Faisal, Karachi Airport, and DHA Phase 8 had light rain while other parts of the city were covered in thick clouds. Super Highway, Gadap Town, and Memon Goth, all on the outskirts of the city, saw moderate rainfall.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported that only two millimeters of rain fell in Karachi over the past 24 hours. In contrast, 60 mm fell in the rural district of Islamkot in Sindh, followed by 40 mm in Nangarparkar, 28 mm in Chhachro, 22 mm in Shaheed Benazirabad, 18 mm in Diplo, and 18 mm in Hyderabad. A total of 12 mm of rain fell in Sakrand, whereas only 10 mm fell in Hyderabad City.
The highest temperature ever recorded was 41.5 degrees Celsius in Shaheed Benazirabad. According to the PMD’s forecast, thunderstorms and lightning in Karachi will be common till July 9 due to the continued influence of monsoon winds over Sindh and the eastern portions of the country.
Tharparkar, Umarkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Larkana, Qamber Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Sukkur, Dadu, Jamshoro, Khairpur, Nawabshah, Mitiari, Hyderabad, Tandoallhayar, Tando Mohammad Khan, Sanghar, and Thatta are not the only rural Sindh cities included in the forecast. Thunder and lightning are likely to accompany the rain that will occur in these areas from now until July 9.
