As monsoon is about to end, Karachi and some other parts of Sindh have begun to receive mild to heavy rains, turning the weather pleasant for some and disquieting for many.
So far in two days Karachi has received maximum 28.1 mm rain. Forecast for the next two to three days is of intermittent rainfall in Karachi and coastal areas.
Deputy Director of Meteorological Office Sarfraz Ahmed told Business Recorder on Saturday that low pressure on the Indian Gujarat state and adjoining lower and south-east Sindh region would persist for next 48 hours and cause rains. The sea would remain normal and the holidaymakers needed no fear from it.
He said that monsoon would continue till the end of September and therefore rains might be expected even after the current spell.
It began raining in Karachi on Friday afternoon and continued, at some places, till late in the evening. The Meteorological Department said that on Friday it recorded 2.9 mm rain at Karachi airport, 5.6 mm at North Karachi 5.5 mm at Shahrae-Faisal and traces at Masroor Air base.
On Saturday morning it began to rain at about 7:30 am at some places and continued till 11 am. The Met Office said it recorded 20 mm at Karachi airport, 22.5 mm at North Karachi, 14 mm at Shahre Faisal and 8 mm at Masroor.
The catchment area of Hub received traces of rains and not much was expected in coming two to three days.
In lower Sindh, traces were recorded in Badin and 2 mm in Hyderabad. Lasbella received traces whereas in Khuzdar 20.8 mm rains were recorded.
Rains in Karachi changed the weather, and temperature was recorded at 27 degrees Celsius at 2 pm, as compared to 30 Celsius same time on Friday. It was expected to fall fractionally late in the night.
The devastating side of the rains could be seen around Karachi and alongside the Lyari River bed from where more than 600 people were evacuated to safer places and more were being provided relief till filing of this report. City fire brigade sources said that rain water had accumulated in the narrowed down Lyari River and was gushing into the houses. There was danger of loss of life as kutcha constructions could collapse.
Most of city roads got inundated with water and caused traffic jams at many places. Worst traffic jams could be seen on such roads which are under construction and traffic diversion has not been provided to motorcars, motorcycle rickshaws and public transports.
At many places, newly repaired/carpeted roads have developed cracks and big holes to suck in unwary pedestrians. The City District Government of Karachi did not put up warning signs at any such place, which was causing hardship to people.
People living in low-lying areas are vulnerable to waterborne diseases. Outpatient departments of the four major city hospitals--Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Civil Hospital, Lyari General Hospital and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre--were crowded with people who had queued up to take medical help due to rains. Accident and electrocution cases were also reported at these hospitals.
Though the public transport plied in full strength, attendance in government schools remained thin. Many government offices, even the Sindh Secretariat, had low attendance.