Karachi hit by dust storm followed by rain

Dark clouds were observed covering the city just before the storm appeared on the horizon.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said the rains are likely to stop and storm clouds will disappear after two to three hours.

According to news reports, Two people have reportedly died so far as a roof fell off in Baldia Gulshan Ghazi due to the severity of the storm.  

On the other hand, several people got injured in different unfortunate incidents following the duststorms.

Electricity supply has also been interrupted in several areas as 300 feeders tripped as strong gusts of wind swept the city.  

PMD Director Sardar Sarfaraz said that thunder cells have developed over Karachi due to the sweltering heat.

The Metro department official also said that the temperature in Karachi will decrease from tomorrow (Wednesday), adding that the clouds will leave the city in the next two to three hours.

Sarfaraz also said that there was no chance of heavy rain in Karachi but added that the clouds had covered the city due to heat and cyclone.

Earlier on Tuesday, The Meteorological Department issued an alert about the Cyclone named ‘Tauktae’ saying that it will cause thunderstorms and gusty winds in Karachi.

A hurricane threat is developing in the Arabian Sea, some 1460 km south and southeast off the Karachi coast which will move north and northwest towards Indian Gujarat and is expected to make landfall by May 18.

This storm will be the first-named tropical cyclone of the year in the region.

The expected rapid intensification is due to ideal environmental conditions as sea surface temperatures in this region are some of the warmest in the world right now which is about 30-32 degrees Celsius.

As per Met Department, Rain and dust storms will prevail towards Hyderabad, Karachi, Jamshoro and Shaheed Benazirabad from May 18 to 20.

The wind speed at the centre of the storm is expected 70 to 80 km per hour and is steadily increasing to 100 km per hour.

Reportedly, sea conditions will be very rough following which fishermen are directed not to venture in the sea from May 16 to 20.

Tropical cyclones use warm water as fuel and anything over 26.5 degrees Celsius and low wind shear help the cyclone make maximum use of these extremely warm waters. Whereas, high wind shear tears tropical systems apart and limits their development.