Winter Showers Lash Parts of Karachi

News Desk 

Karachi: Heavy winter showers accompanied by strong winds swept across several parts of Karachi on Thursday, bringing a cool and misty relief to the bustling port city.

The downpour began under the influence of a westerly weather system currently affecting the region. Areas including Surjani Town, Musharraf Colony, and Hub were among the first to experience rainfall.

Meteorological experts said the rain is likely to be followed by chillier temperatures, with residents advised to stay prepared for gusty winds and cooler conditions in the coming days. The showers come as part of a broader winter pattern affecting southern Pakistan, providing temporary respite from dry and cold spells across the city.

Winter Weather Grips Pakistan

Winter conditions have intensified across Pakistan as rain and snowfall continue in several parts of Balochistan, while Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are also bracing for wet weather, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported.

In Balochistan, rain has been ongoing since last night in multiple areas. Ziarat, Kan Mehtarzai, Muslim Bagh, Toba Kakari, and Toba Achakzai are experiencing snowfall alongside rain, causing temperatures to plummet below freezing. Quetta recorded minus 1°C, while Kordk Top and Khwaja Imran reported minus 3°C.

Authorities, including the National Highway Authority (NHA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), are actively clearing snow from northern highways to ensure roads remain open.

In Punjab, Lahore is partly cloudy, with intermittent rain forecast for today and tomorrow, likely to further lower temperatures. Similarly, Rawalpindi and Islamabad are under overcast skies, with a chance of rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms.

Cloudy conditions also prevail in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with light snowfall reported over higher mountains and colder weather affecting lower regions.

Most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are expected to receive rainfall over the next 24 hours, including Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Swabi, Chitral, Swat, and Buner. Areas such as Batagram, Dir, Kohistan, Abbottabad, and Haripur may also see rain, while Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Hangu, Kohat, Mohmand, Khyber, and North and South Waziristan are likely to experience wet weather. Snowfall in upper mountainous areas raises concerns of landslides and flash flooding in streams and rivers.

Meanwhile, Karachi may experience intermittent rain with strong winds and thunderstorms. Rainfall is expected to be of moderate intensity, with the city remaining partly cloudy over the next 24 hours. Temperatures are expected to drop, with a minimum of 7°C and a maximum of 25°C from Friday onward.

The PMD has urged residents to exercise caution, particularly in northern and hilly areas, due to the risk of slippery roads, landslides, and water-logging during heavy rainfall.