Karachi braces for strong winds, lightning, hailstorm risk

KARACHI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department has said that a fresh westerly weather system is expected to enter Balochistan from Sunday, with rain forecast in Karachi and several districts of Sindh.

The Met Office said light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning is likely in parts of Karachi on Monday, as the system moves across the region.

It warned that strong winds, lightning and possible hailstorms could damage vulnerable structures during the weather spell.

The forecast comes days after Karachi and several Sindh cities recorded unusual weather patterns for April.

Karachi received 38.7 millimetres of rain in 24 hours, the highest ever recorded in the city for the month of April, breaking a previous record set in 1985, the report said.

The rainfall was accompanied by an unusual drop in temperatures, with the city recording its lowest-ever night-time temperature for April at 16°C — about 5.8°C below the monthly average, according to the Met Office.

Officials described the shifting weather patterns as “abnormal”, warning that continued changes linked to climate variability could have adverse effects on agriculture, particularly wheat harvesting and mango crops currently in their flowering stage.

The Met Office has indicated that more rain spells are likely later this month as the westerly system persists.