Karachi sizzles at 40 degrees

KARACHI: Ahead of monsoon outset, hot weather gripped Karachi and other cities on Sunday, compelling citizens to remain indoors as the temperature rose to 44 degrees Celsius in Punjab and Balochistan.

According to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), maximum temperature recorded on Sunday was 44 degree centigrade in Bhukkar, R.Y.Khan, and Turbat.

In Karachi, mercury on the scale rose to 40 degree centigrade.

The Met Office has predicted that onset of monsoon is very likely in Pakistan on Sunday.

The rain spell is likely to start from upper parts of the country and will spread towards central and southern parts of the country during the week.

Widespread rains with isolated heavy thundershowers accompanied by strong gusty winds are expected in Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA and Kashmir. While scattered rains/dust-thundershowers are also expected in Sindh and Balochistan during next 24 hours.

All concerned authorities are advised to remain alert during the coming week because there is high probability of isolated heavy downpours which may generate flash flooding in hilly terrain and urban flooding in big cities.

Summer monsoon rainfall is likely to be 10-20% above normal over the country, averaged for three months. More than average rainfall is expected over Punjab, KP, Sindh, AJK and Northeast Balochistan.

Next 24 hrs:

Scattered  Rain/ Dust-thundershowers with strong gusty winds is expected in Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Karachi, Shaheed- Benazaribad, Kalat, Makran divisions, whereas isolated Rain / Dust-thundershowers with strong gusty  winds is expected in Sukkar , Larkana, Sibbi ,Nasirabad,Bahawalpur , Quetta, Zhob ,Hazara, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sargodha, D.G Khan, Multan, Faisalabad divisions ,Islamabad and Kashmir . Hot and dry weather is expected elsewhere in the country.

Next 48 hrs:

Widespread  Rain / Dust-thundershowers with strong  gusty winds expected in Balochistan,  scattered heavy falls are also expected in Kalat, Makran ,Sibbi,  Nasirabad divisions whereas scattered Rain/ Dust-thundershowers with strong gusty winds expected in  Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Karachi, Sukkar , Larkana, Quetta, Zhob  Bahawalpur, Multan, D.G Khan,  Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Hazara, Peshawar, Kohat divisions. Islamabad and Kashmir, while at isolated places in Malakand , Bannu, D.I Khan divisions and  FATA. Hot and dry weather is expected elsewhere in the country.

Past Weather:

Weather remained hot and dry in most parts of the country. However, rain-thunderstorm occurred at isolated places in Gujranwala, Malakand, Hazara, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Kohat, Kalat divisions, Kashmir, Tharparkar district of Sindh. – Samaa