Weather Update: Light Drizzle Expected in Karachi, Monsoon Alert Issued Nationwide

Karachi residents can anticipate overcast skies with the likelihood of light drizzle during the morning and night, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). The sea breeze is blowing at 10 km/h, and humidity is at 82%. The temperature is expected to reach a maximum of 33 to 35 degrees Celsius, with partly cloudy conditions. The minimum temperature recorded in the last 24 hours was 28°C.

This forecast follows recent intermittent light showers in the city. The Met Office advises citizens to stay updated on weather conditions and take necessary safety measures, particularly in areas prone to flooding and densely populated urban centers.

The ongoing monsoon season has brought substantial rainfall across the country, leading to flash floods and various incidents. Tragically, there have been 72 reported deaths and 130 injuries.

Statistics indicate a rise in fatalities between June 26 and July 6, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) reporting the highest number of deaths at 28. Punjab recorded 22 deaths, Sindh 15, Balochistan seven, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) four.

The monsoon spells damaged at least 161 houses and swept away 91 livestock. Emergency services conducted 19 rescue operations, rescuing 233 individuals and distributing essential supplies to those affected.

As monsoon activity is projected to increase across the nation, the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) of the NDMA has issued a flood alert valid until July 10.

The alert emphasizes potential overflows of rivers and streams in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, AJK, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Low-level flooding is anticipated at Marala and Qadirabad on the Chenab River.

The NDMA noted that major rivers such as the Indus, Chenab, Swat, Panjkora, Chitral, Hunza, and other local waterways may experience rising water levels. Flash floods are also a concern in northeastern Punjab, especially in streams originating from the Pir Panjal mountain range.

In addition to the NDMA’s warning, attention should be paid to the PMD’s forecast of widespread rain, wind, and thundershowers expected in many areas from the night of July 6 to July 8.

This wet period could bring heavy to very heavy rainfall in certain locations, increasing the risk of flash floods, urban flooding, and landslides, particularly in northern and hilly regions.

Thundershowers are possible in KP, Punjab, northeastern and southern Balochistan, southeastern Sindh, Kashmir, and Islamabad.

Isolated heavy downpours are anticipated in Upper Punjab, the Potohar region, Islamabad, KP, AJK, and northern Balochistan.

The Met Office has cautioned that heavy to very heavy rains might cause flash flooding in local streams and nullahs of Murree, Galliyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, hill torrents of D.G. Khan, northeastern Punjab, Kashmir, and parts of Balochistan. Landslides and mudslides are a significant risk in vulnerable mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, and Kashmir, which could lead to road closures and travel disruptions.

The department also warned of possible urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera, and Peshawar.

Punjab is likely to experience widespread rain with isolated heavy falls in Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock, Chakwal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Mandi Bahauddin, Chiniot, Okara, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Addu, Multan, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar, and Dera Ghazi Khan.

In Sindh, predominantly hot and humid conditions are expected in most districts. However, rain-wind/thundershowers may occur in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Badin, Thatta, Mithi, Sanghar, Dadu, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Larkana, Kashmore, Shikarpur and neighboring areas.