Light rain was reported in several parts of Karachi on Thursday morning, offering respite from the prevailing hot conditions in the city, a day after the Sindh Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued an alert about the next wave of rain.
Drizzle was recorded in central areas including Saddar, Clifton, MA Jinnah Road and old city area. Later, the rains spread to northern neighborhoods such as North Karachi, New Karachi and Surjani Town.
Before the rains, hurricane-force winds hit the port city.
While the downpours were light, they caused a noticeable change in the weather, with cooler winds accompanying the rain in some locations.
There were no immediate reports of disturbance, although intermittent rain is expected to continue in some parts of the city.
Earlier this week, the Pakistan Meteorological Department predicted the spell of rain, saying that the port city, along with Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Dadu, Kashmore, Jacobabad and Larkana, are expected to receive rain and thunderstorms on March 25, 26, 28 and 29.
PDMA Notice
In the wake of the rain forecast, the PDMA instructed its personnel to remain on high alert with all necessary machinery ready.
According to the alert, strong winds and hail could damage weak structures and solar panels, while temperatures are expected to drop.
Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel. Tourists and travelers are urged to take precautions and farmers are advised to protect crops in advance.
The rain alert was issued on the orders of Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, who chaired a meeting regarding the weather forecast.
During the meeting, he directed all commissioners, deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners to remain on the ground for the next seven days.
He asked district administrations and local organizations to fully mobilize.
Authorities have been ordered to ensure water drainage machinery is available and operational, maintain traffic flow and remove dangerous advertising billboards.
Public awareness campaigns and all precautionary measures must be completed before the expected weather events.
Met Office forecast
The Met Office issued a rain forecast for the entire country on Monday, warning of wet weather, strong winds, thunder and lightning in many regions until March 30.
According to the forecast, a western weather system is expected 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 northwestern regions will also be affected by the system, with rain 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, rain is 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 March 30.
Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) are also expected to receive rainfall during this period, the meteorological department concluded.
