Sindh, Balochistan on alert: Met Office predicts heavy rainfalls from 16 to 18 July

News Desk

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Metrology Department (PMD) on Saturday predicted widespread wind-thunderstorms or rain-showers with scattered heavy or extremely heavy falls in parts of Balochistan and Sindh provinces from 16 to 18 July.

According to a press release issued by the Met Office, the low-pressure area (LPA) persisting over the Northeast Arabian Sea and adjoining Gulf of Kutch has intensified into a Depression (Intense Low-Pressure Area) with a maximum wind speed of 50-55 km/hour.

The PMD statement stated that the system was located around Latitude 21.8N and Longitude 69.0E, at a distance of about 400km southeast of Karachi and 340km from Thatta.

This weather system is likely to move in the northwest direction during the next 36-48 hours and then move westwards towards the Oman coast.

Under the influence of this weather system, widespread wind-thunderstorms/rain-showers with scattered heavy/very heavy falls, extremely heavy at times, are likely in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Thaparker, Umerkot, Sanghar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Nosheroferoz, Tando Muhammad Khan (TMK), Tando Allayar (TAY), Dadu, Jamshoro, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur and Ghotki districts of Sindh from today 16 to 18 July and Lasbella, Uthal, Ormara, Pasni, Gwadar, Jiwani, Turbat, Awaran and Ketch areas during 17- 18 July 2022.

As per impacts, the Sea conditions would remain very rough during the next 3 days. Therefore, fishermen of Sindh and Balochistan are advised not to venture in open sea from today 16 to 18 July 2022.

The press release further said that very heavy/extremely heavy rains may generate urban flooding in Karachi, Badin, Thatta, Hyderabad, Dadu, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, T.M. Khan Tando Allayar, Lasbela, Sonmiani, Ormara, Pasni, Gwadar, Turbat & Jiwani.

The windstorm may cause damage to loose and vulnerable structures. However, PMD Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre, Karachi is closely monitoring the system and updates will be issued accordingly.  All concerned authorities are requested to remain High ALERT during the forecast period and keep them abreast of update through the PMD website.