Heavy rains are expected in Karachi from today (Thursday) till October 2 as the remnants of Cyclone Gulab turned into a powerful depression as it entered the Arabian Sea.
According to Details, Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD) Early Warning Centre has issued an alert for heavy rains and strong winds in the coastal areas of Sindh and Makran.
The PMD added that the system can intensify as it enters the Arabian Sea, and cause torrential rainfall in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta and Badin districts from September 30 to October 2 while Mirpur Khas, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Sanghar and other districts of Sindh are also expected to receive moderate to heavy rains.
There is a further warning of urban flooding in Karachi and other cities of Sindh while fishermen have been asked not to venture out to sea during September 30 and October 3 due to rough sea conditions.
Urban flooding may also occur in Lasbela, Somiani, Ormara, Pasni, Gwadar, Turbat and Jiwani districts of Balochistan due to torrential rains, with risk to weaker structures.
The Met department added that during the previous 24-hour period, weather in the provincial capital remained hot and humid. The city’s temperature was recorded at 38.5 degrees centigrade, while the humidity was recorded at 36%.
Earlier, Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab has directed the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and district municipal corporations (DMCs) to formulate a comprehensive strategy to deal with the next spell of monsoon rains.
The previous rain spells this month wreaked havoc on the city’s crumbling road infrastructure. Accumulated rainwater caused logjams on major thoroughfares while some low-lying areas were submerged for hours.
At the ‘rain emergency’ meeting, the KMC, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB), deputy commissioners of all districts, the fire department and municipal services director were directed to make arrangements in their respective departments.
The KMC and DMCs were tasked with ensuring the availability of fuel and operators for dewatering pumps so accumulated rainwater could be drained swiftly.