Karachi saw another spell of rain on Thursday, the second day in a row, just a day after a powerful storm killed at least 19 people, brought down walls and roofs, and left damage across parts of the city.
Heavy rainfall hit Orangi Town, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulshan-e-Maamar, Lyari, Clifton, Scheme 33 and Madripur, where hail was also reported. Rain was also observed on II Chundrigar Road and in North Nazimabad.
The fresh spell comes a day after a powerful thunderstorm, accompanied by gale-force winds, swept through the port city, killing at least 19 people.
Authorities said most deaths occurred due to collapsing walls and roofs during the storm.
In Baldia Town’s Mawachh Goth area, rescuers have so far recovered 13 bodies from the rubble of a collapsed building, while search operations continued overnight for more victims feared trapped under the debris.
In a separate incident, a wall collapse in Landhi’s Majeed Colony killed two people, including a woman, and injured three others.
Another person died after being struck by lightning near Yaru Goth along the Malir River.
Following the rain, temperatures dropped noticeably, bringing a cooler night to the city.
Earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast rain and thunderstorms with strong winds and isolated hailstorms across parts of Sindh, as a westerly wave moves into the country’s western regions.
Under its influence, rain with strong winds and occasional moderate to heavy showers is expected in Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Matiari, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Noshero Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad and Dadu, as well as across the Karachi Division.
Rain and thunderstorms with strong winds are also likely in Larkana, Qambar Shahdadkot, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Ghotki and Sukkur districts today and tomorrow, with occasional gaps.
The PMD warned that lightning strikes may occur at isolated locations and advised farmers to manage crops in line with the prevailing weather conditions.
The Met Office said the ongoing western wind system is affecting much of the country, bringing unsettled weather to Sindh, with moderate to heavy rainfall expected in Hyderabad, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin and Matiari.
It added that hailstorms are possible at some locations, along with a continued risk of lightning during the rain.
Another spell of westerly winds from March 24 to 27 may bring further rain to Karachi and other parts of Sindh, the department said.
