Rain, thunderstorms likely in Karachi, other parts of Sindh tomorrow: PMD

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast chances of rain and thunderstorms in Karachi and across Sindh on Saturday, as a westerly wave continues to affect the country.

According to its three-day weather outlook issued on Friday, the PMD said that Saturday would likely bring thunderstorms or rain “of light to moderate intensity” to the province due to a westerly wave entering the country from southwestern Balochistan.

Mostly sunny weather is expected in Karachi today, with a maximum temperature of 32-34 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 24°C. Humidity will reach 76 per cent before dropping to 45-55pc in the evening as a northwesterly wind is expected to turn west/southwesterly.

On Saturday, the PMD forecast “partly cloudy” weather with “chances of isolated wind [or] thunderstorms/rain”. Temperatures will stay similar, at around 31-33°C highs and 22-24°C lows. Humidity is predicted between 75-85pc in the daytime and 55-65pc in the evenings.

Sunday is not expected to be rainy, but the maximum temperature is expected to be slightly lower due to mostly cloudy weather, at 30-32°C. Humidity will be lower, between 65-75pc in the daytime and 45-55pc in the evening. A west/southwesterly wind is expected to prevail on both Saturday and Sunday.

According to the weather outlook, rain is also likely in Jamshoro, Dadu, Qambar Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Sukkur, Ghotki, Badin, Umerkot and Tharparkar districts of Sindh on Saturday.

It warned that windstorms or hailstorms and lightning may damage weak structures such as electric poles, billboards and solar panels during the forecast period, while wind and hail may also damage standing crops. The PMD advised farmers to manage their crops accordingly.

The PMD on Monday had predicted rainfall and thunderstorms across the country from March 24-30 with “occasional gaps” due to a western disturbance approaching the southwestern parts of Balochistan.

Last week, 20 people died and eight were injured as a result of a thunderstorm that swept through Karachi, the city police said.