Cold winds expected in Karachi after brief respite

Karachi is expected to see a drop in temperatures as cold winds return later this week following a brief pause.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), a recent shift in weather patterns temporarily reduced the intensity of cold winds, slightly raising the city’s minimum temperature.

Today, Karachi recorded a low of 13.5°C, with fog limiting visibility to 1,200 meters.

However, this calm will be short-lived as a new weather system from the west is set to bring cold winds from Balochistan.

These winds are likely to hit Karachi by January 24, pushing temperatures down once again. Meteorologists predict the city’s minimum temperature could drop to 9°C as northeast winds impact the coastal areas.

The overall weather is expected to remain dry and chilly over the next 24 hours, with the maximum temperature forecasted at 29°C.

Residents of Karachi have been advised to prepare for colder conditions as the intensity of winter winds increases.

In addition, Pakistan faces an increasing risk of drought due to a significant decrease in rainfall across the country.

According to the PMD, rainfall over the past four months has been 40% below average, with varying deficits across provinces. From September 1 to January 15, Sindh saw a 52% drop in rainfall, Balochistan 45%, and Punjab 42%.

This rainfall shortage is expected to accelerate the arrival of summer, with temperatures likely to rise earlier than usual.

Some regions in Punjab, including Pothohar, Layyah, Bhakkar, and Multan, are already showing signs of mild drought conditions, which are expected to worsen in areas dependent on rain.

Additionally, early-stage drought conditions have been observed in other regions such as Rajanpur, Bahawalpur, and Sargodha in Punjab, as well as Karachi, Hyderabad, and Badin in Sindh, and various areas of Balochistan.