A hot and dry Eid awaits citizens of metropolis

Temperature may soar above 40 degrees Celsius; rain likely on April 13

KARACHI:

On the first day of Eidul Fitr, Karachi will remain engulfed in heat, with temperatures possibly exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, a synopsis of the Pakistan Meteorological Department said on Friday.

Hot weather coupled with power outages and water shortage are likely to dampen the festive mood of the people.

A five-day hot spell expected from Monday was likely to end with light rain on April 13 and 14, PMD said. The hot spell was unlikely to reach heatwave level, PMD added.

A new system of hot and dry western winds from Balochistan will push back the cool sea breeze, making the weather extremely hot and dry.

PMD Early Warning Centre said that most cities in Sindh will experience hot weather from April 7 to10 with temperatures ranging from 38 to 40 degrees Celsius in central and upper regions of the province, while Karachi and other southern districts were expected to stay between 36 to 38 degrees Celsius.

According to the Meteorological Department, the highest temperature in the city on Friday was 34.4 degrees Celsius, with humidity levels at 41%. Various rural areas of Sindh also recorded high temperatures, with the highest temperature recorded in Jacobabad at 39.5 degrees Celsius.

According to the Meteorological Department, there is a possibility of warm and humid weather on weekdays and Sundays, with temperatures possibly reaching 36 degrees Celsius on Sundays.

PMD allaying fears of a heatwave said it occurs when temperature remains above 40 degrees centigrade for days or even a week and humidity levels increases up to 60%.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 6^th, 2024.