Pakistan is once again in the grip of monsoon showers, with Karachi, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) experiencing downpours of varying intensity. While the rains have broken the summer heat, they’ve also brought the familiar problems of waterlogging, power cuts, and flooding in vulnerable areas.
Karachi: Humidity Soars as More Rain Looms
Karachi is expected to see intermittent rainfall until August 22, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). A light drizzle late Sunday night left the city damp, but the halt of sea breeze worsened humidity levels, which climbed to 78%.
Although the thermometer shows around 30°C, residents are feeling a much warmer 35°C because of stagnant air and high humidity. Winds are barely moving at 5 knots, and daytime temperatures are forecast to remain between 34°C and 36°C.
For many in Karachi, the showers offer relief from the heat, but they also raise fears of urban flooding and prolonged power outages—problems the city faces almost every monsoon.
Punjab: Relief Mixed With Damage
Punjab’s southern and central districts woke up to widespread showers. Multan received light rain that cooled down the city and is expected to keep temperatures moderate for the next two days.
But in Attock, Layyah, Dunyapur, and Athara Hazari, the weather turned harsher. Heavy rains, often paired with thunderstorms, triggered urban flooding and water accumulation in fields. While residents welcomed the cooler weather, farmers worried about crop damage as rainwater inundated standing fields. Electricity breakdowns were also reported in several towns, adding to the disruption.
KP: Torrential Rains Snarl Daily Life
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saw some of the heaviest downpours. Peshawar, Abbottabad, Landikotal, and parts of Khyber district were battered by intense rain and thunderstorms.
In Peshawar, flooded streets slowed traffic to a crawl, leaving commuters stranded. The PMD has forecast off-and-on showers across KP until August 21, warning of moderate flooding in drainage systems and low-lying towns.
Abbottabad’s Havelian area was among the worst hit, with thunderstorm-driven rains turning streets into streams. Intermittent rain is expected to persist for another two days.
Outlook
With the monsoon system strengthening, urban flooding, crop losses, and infrastructure strain remain immediate concerns. Authorities are urging residents in low-lying areas to remain cautious as more rain is expected through the week.
