The climate in Pakistan is referred to as generally “temperate” with the heat getting more intense with the years and effects of global warming combined. With the monsoon season, Pakistan receives 65-75% of its annual rainfall.
For agriculture, the rainfall increases valuable crop production and decreases the insect and pest problem simultaneously. Not only is it vital for agriculture, which generates most of the country’s revenue.
The monsoon rains could be utilised to help the water shortage crisis and for electricity generation as the water collects in dams, but due to the country’s poor drainage system and mismanaged affairs of the government, the effects of the rainy season are destructive, flooding streets with leftover water and sewage floating about which leaves people living in such areas susceptible to diseases and unhygienic living conditions.
As rainfall hit Pakistan’s financial capital, Karachi, on Monday, 9 have been reported dead due to rain-related incidents. With inefficient infrastructure and means to cope with the effects of heavy rainfall, Karachi has faced houses collapsing, electrocution and roads being flooded, adding to the burden of the ongoing pandemic threat. Data from the meteorological department has been recorded which shows that 43mm of rainfall had been recorded in Saddar on Monday, the highest out of all the areas, followed by 26mm in P.A.F Faisal Base and 22mm in Nazimabad.
With the current tentative weather situation, Karachi Electric (KE) has taken to their social media platform and advised people to stay safe and keep children indoors for the coming days, providing ‘rain updates’ as well.
Approximately Rs 1 billion has been allocated to the budget for keeping the city’s drains clean but the authorities started clearing them out just two days before the rain forecast, although now it has been reported that it cannot be cleared in 2 days.
Additionally, the Civil Aviation Authority has issued an alert to put additional weight on all small aircraft and helicopters, to avoid any chance of slipping on the runway to ensure safety precautions are intact.