Karachi’s monsoon system getting weaker: Met Office

Karachi will likely have some respite from the incessant rains as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted that the monsoon system is getting weaker in the region.

MET Director Sardar Sarfraz has said the existing rain system in Karachi is weakening with most of the wind pressure returning to the sea.

“The return of the wind pressure has resulted in the rain system weakening in the city,” he said.

Sarfaraz added the system was still present in some parts of Karachi; however, its intensity was not as high. “Karachi may experience intermittent rainfall tomorrow,” he added.

Karachi has been facing record torrential rains this year, wreaking havoc on the city's infrastructure and drainage system. Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday had directed the military troops to set up relief operations in Karachi to assist the people affected by heavy rains.

The armed forces continued with their relief and rescue efforts in the metropolis today after torrential rains left residents of several low-lying areas stranded and without help.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), "Army Engineers' machinery including heavy plant effort is in progress to stop water flow from Malir Nadi by refilling the breached area."

Water in Malir Nadi has been reduced and backflow from Quaidabad to Malir Nadi has started, said the military's media wing, adding that boats have been deployed in various areas to shift stranded people to safer places.

Rains sink Karachi's 90-year-old record

According to The News, the Met Office on Tuesday confirmed that the 90-year record of the monsoon downpour was broken after yesterday’s rainfall in Karachi in August this year.

The 90-year record was broken after a 345mm downpour was recorded at Karachi’s PAF Faisal Base in August this year, making it the wettest month since 1931, which was previously recorded rainfall up to to 298.4mm in 1984, reported The News.

The most amount of rainfall up to 272mm was recorded at Masroor Base in 2007, whereas, the August 2020’s downpour was recorded up to 228.5mm and is still continuing. In 1979, 262.5mm rain had been recorded in MOS Old Airport while the recent downpour was 168.9 in the same area.

According to the Met Office, 114mm rain was recorded in Gulshan-e-Hadeed, 83mm in Sadar, 81mm in Landhi, 77.8mm at University Road, 76.6mm in Nazimabad, 70.8mm in Saadi Town, 65.8mm at Jinnah Terminal, 49.8mm in North Karachi, 42.8 in Surjani and the lowest amount of downpour was 21.9mm in Keamari.

The MET Office on Monday had forecast heavy rainfall in the city till Thursday, warning that urban flooding could take place in the city.