KARACHI:
The metropolis braved scorching heat on Tuesday, with temperatures shooting up to 39.9°C at the official weather station due to stalled sea breeze, according to the weatherman.
The heatwave persisted throughout the day and the conditions were exasperated by 53% humidity. Some neighbourhoods of the city reported even higher temperatures: 40.7°C at Jinnah Terminal and 40.5°C in Gulistan-e-Jauhar. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasts that sea breezes will resume today (Wednesday), bringing slight respite from the scalding heat. Starting Tomorrow (Thursday), light rain showers and drizzle are expected during morning and nighttime hours, triggered by low-level cloud cover moving in from the Arabian Sea.
PMD’s Early Warning Centre reports a humid air mass prevailing over eastern Sindh, contributing to the discomfort. Karachi can expect stronger-than-usual winds on Wednesday and Thursday, while the rest of the province may continue to experience hot and dry conditions. According to Anjum Nazeer Zaigham of the PMD, the current heat spell results from a low-pressure system over Indian Gujarat that has disrupted normal sea breeze patterns, leading to elevated temperatures in Karachi for the past two days.
On Tuesday, the temperature had already crossed 39°C by 11 am, as a low-pressure system disrupted standard weather patterns, causing sea breezes to either stall or slow significantly. However, these breezes are expected to return by Tuesday evening, with light rain showers and drizzle likely on Thursday during the early morning and nighttime hours.
