Pakistan Meteorological Department had already forecasted monsoon rains in Karachi starting from 15th July. However, today, the city received the first spell of rain.
The weather turned pleasant after a brief hot spell. According to PMD, light to moderate rains may continue intermittently today while heavy showers are expected at night.
According to weather experts, low winds had hit the northwest Bay of Bengal on July 11 and humid winds of the monsoon season will enter Pakistan via Gujrat. The PMD has forecast more rain in Karachi this year but will the city be able to handle it?
Karachi and rain in 2020
During the monsoon rain last year, Karachi altogether received the heaviest rain in a single day ever in its history when 231 mm of rain lashed out in just 12 hours, the worst in the past 13 years.
The monsoon season continues in July, August, and September. It rained more in August alone last year in Karachi than in any monsoon of the past 20 years. During August 2020, Karachi received 484 mm (19 inches) rain, the highest rainfall record over the last 90 years.
How rain wrecked Karachi?
Karachi, a metropolis of more than 20 million people, was unfortunately one of the worst hit by urban flooding. Streets turned to rivers, as the sheer volume of water quickly overloaded the city’s neglected and ill-maintained drainage systems.
Electricity supply across the city failed almost immediately, as the city’s main utility company reported its substations were being flooded.
Last year, the city, witnessed several people losing their lives related to rain incidents. In the year 2020, monsoon rains killed around 90 people and damaged at least a thousand homes across Pakistan.
Rainfall this year
In June, the Pakistan Meteorological Department predicted more rain in Sindh’s capital this summer. Karachi and other parts of Sindh are likely to receive more than usual rainfall in the monsoon season, as per the department.
Karachi and other parts of Sindh are likely to receive more than usual rainfall in the monsoon season. Pakistan Meteorological Department has also warned against urban flooding in major areas of Karachi and flash flooding in hilly areas.
Is Karachi prepared for rain?
To deal with the emergency situation during monsoon rains, an Urban Flood Rescue Unit of the Security Division has been set up in Karachi. The decision was taken keeping in view the prediction of the Meteorological department about more rainfall than usual in Karachi in the monsoon season.
The unit comprises Special Security Unit commandos equipped with the latest rescue gadgets and small boats which will stay alert round-the-clock to respond to any situation during heavy rainfall.
Karachi is a victim of poor planning, bad governance and flooding. Let’s see how authorities handle the largest city of Pakistan during the monsoon rains.
