KARACHI(National times)- Heavy to moderate rains lashed parts of Karachi on Monday evening amid predictions of “very heavy downpours” and thunderstorms, which may lead to urban flooding in the metropolis. The areas which witnessed light rain include I I Chundrigar Road and its adjoining areas, whereas, some areas near Shahrea Faisal and several blocks of Gulistan-e-Johar received heavy downpours. Gulshan-e-Hadeed, M9 Motorway and areas of Scheme 33 also receive light to heavy rains. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab advised citizens to exercise caution as rainfall resumed in various parts of the metropolis. He urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to check road conditions before setting out. He said citizens can call the city’s emergency helpline at 1915 for guidance and assistance. The mayor assured that continuous updates would be provided to the public and stated that the situation remains under control. Earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned that “very heavy downpours” may lash Karachi today and tomorrow (Tuesday), as a powerful monsoon system maintains its intensity as a deep depression over land, centred over Tharparkar. The PMD spokesperson said the system would pass close to Karachi on Tuesday, warning that the situation in the city \u201cmay remain severe\u201d, with strong winds of 60 to 70 kilometres per hour likely during the spell. \u201cThis system is producing intense rainfall and could deliver over 100 millimetres of rain in Karachi during the entire spell,\u201d PMD spokesperson Anjum Nazir said, cautioning of urban flooding due to the city\u2019s poor infrastructure. Low-lying areas could be inundated, and citizens have been urged to avoid weak infrastructure and stay indoors during intense showers. As per the rain stats shared by the Met Office for 5pm-8am (Sunday to Monday, Karachi recorded light rain in several areas, with Korangi receiving the highest rainfall at 8mm. Gulshan-e-Hadeed saw 5mm, University Road 3mm, Gulshan-e-Memar 3.5mm, Shahrah-e-Faisal 2mm, Old Airport 2.6mm, North Karachi 1.2mm, DHA 1.5mm, Keamari 4mm, Jinnah Terminal 3mm and Surjani Town 2mm, according to the PMD. The Met Office said intermittent heavy showers with thunderstorms and gusty winds are expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Jamshoro, Thatta, Badin, Shaheed Benazirabad and other districts till September 10. Earlier, the PMD said rain-bearing clouds were present over the eastern parts of the megacity. \u201cThese clouds may spread further in the city,\u201d it added. \u201cUnusual downpours\u201d are expected in Sindh during the next 48 hours, warned the Met Office. It added that the \u201cdepression\u201d over India\u2019s southwest Rajasthan and Gujarat has strengthened into a \u201cdeep depression\u201d. The \u201cdeep depression\u201d is likely to enter southeastern Sindh within the next 24 hours, said the Met Office.\u00a0 The weather system may later move towards Balochistan, bringing rain there as well, while hill torrents could form over the mountainous areas of Dadu, the PMD warned. Sindh government spokesperson Saadia Javed said the province is on high alert, with Karachi Metropolitan Corporation staff deployed across the city. She urged citizens to avoid leaving homes unnecessarily and said a decision on school closures would be taken after reviewing NDMA and PMD advisories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab on Monday morning visited several parts of the city to review the situation ahead of forecast heavy rain, the city administration\u2019s spokesperson said. The mayor inspected Clifton\u2019s Nehr-e-Khayyam outfall and said water drainage was clear. \u201cHigh tides could make drainage challenging, but we are prepared,\u201d Wahab stated. He confirmed that Tariq Road underpass was completely clear and open for regular traffic, while Drigh Road underpass had also been reopened for public use. \u201cStaff and machinery are on the ground and the situation is under control,\u201d the mayor assured. Wahab advised citizens to avoid unnecessary movement during the expected heavy downpour.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
KARACHI(National times)- Heavy to moderate rains lashed parts of Karachi on Monday evening amid predictions of “very heavy downpours” and thunderstorms, which may lead to urban flooding in the metropolis. The areas which witnessed light rain include I I Chundrigar Road and its adjoining areas, whereas, some areas near Shahrea Faisal and several blocks of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":111631,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-111629","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n