Karachi, the bustling metropolis of Pakistan, is currently experiencing a cold wave. The city’s temperature has dropped by 4°C, with a recorded minimum of 14.5°C on Saturday. The city’s Chief Meteorologist, Sardar Sarfaraz, predicts that this cold and dry weather will continue until Monday, March 4.
The cold wave was triggered by heavy rainfall and thunderstorms that swept across the city on Friday. Areas such as II Chundrigar Road, Saddar, Sarjani Town, Malir, North Karachi, Korangi Industrial Area, Orangi Town, Baldia Town, Manghopir, Northern Bypass, and Sohrab Goth Town were particularly affected.
Sarfaraz noted that the current cold wave is unusual for March, a month that typically doesn’t experience such chilly weather. He also mentioned that the city’s lowest recorded temperature was 7°C, which occurred on March 7, 8, and 9 in 1979.
Weather expert Jawad Memon added that there’s no forecast of rain in the near future as the westerly waves have moved on. He expects the sky to remain clear and dry with cold nights. The unseasonal cold wave is expected to be short-lived, with winds from Quetta continuing to blow at speeds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour for a few more days.
Memon also reported that Clifton’s private weather station recorded up to 50.4 millimetres of rain. This has resulted in waterlogging in adjacent areas, particularly DHA Khyaban-e-Shehbaz, where rainwater has entered houses. Draining work in these areas is yet to commence.