KARACHI: Under the ongoing influence of a westerly wave which recently caused rains and hailstorm in most parts of the country, Karachi on Thursday received light to moderate showers bringing the temperature further down.

“The rain was very much expected under the influence of a westerly wave that is affecting most parts of the country,” said a Met official. “Almost the entire city received different amount of rain that began early in the morning and continued till afternoon with frequent breaks. However, the weather in the city is expected to remain dry on Friday.”

The maximum temperature in the city was recorded at 27.5°C with 66 per cent humidity -- count of moisture in the air. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) data, the highest amount of rain was recorded in the Gulshan-i-Hadeed area where 11mm of rain was recorded in two spells, followed by Keamari where 8.5mm of rain was recoded, Quaidabad received 5.5mm, DHA 5.4mm, North Karachi 4.4mm, University Road (Met Complex) 4.5mm, Orangi Town 3.6mm, Surjani Town 5.8mm, Saadi Town 4.1mm and the Old Airport area received 7.4mm of rain.

Similarly, Jinnah Terminal received 4.8mm, PAF Base Faisal 6mm, PAF Base Masroor 3mm and North Karachi received 4.2mm of rain. Many other city areas received traces of rain.

Power supply affected as KE’s 200 feeders stop work or shut down to avoid casualties

Forecasting a dry weather across Sindh on Friday, the Met office said that rain, winds and thunderstorm are expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Punjab, north Balochistan, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Meanwhile, the rain caused power failure in different areas. A KE statement said that the showers affected around 200 feeders in the city.

“During today’s rain, the number of feeders affected due to rain is around 200 of over 2,000 functioning in the KE network,” it said. “The power supply through most of the feeders was temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure in the areas where prevalence of kundas (Illegally installed hooks) could pose a safety hazard to consumers. Power supply to these areas was restored immediately after receiving clearance from ground teams.”

However, it said, overall power supply situation in the metropolis remained stable. In the low-lying areas of the city, power supply was suspended as a precautionary measure and the same was restored after receiving clearance from the ground teams, it added.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2023