The heatwave gripping Karachi shows little sign of easing, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasting temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius today, though residents in the city’s suburban belts could catch some relief from isolated afternoon showers.

According to the Met Office, the maximum temperature in the city is expected to remain between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius over the next 24 hours, while the minimum temperature recorded stood at 27.5 degrees Celsius. Humidity levels were recorded at 75 percent, adding to the muggy conditions across the city, with winds remaining calm through the day, a combination that is likely to make the heat feel more intense than the numbers alone suggest.

A weather analyst has said thunderstorm clouds could develop over Karachi’s suburban areas after noon, potentially bringing gusty winds and rain to several parts of the city. Areas identified as most likely to see rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms include M-9, DHA, Gadap and Dumba Goth, alongside Scheme 33, Malir, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Gulshan-e-Maymar, Port Qasim and Steel Town. Other parts of the city carry a 45 to 60 percent chance of light to moderate rain, according to the analyst, though severe rainfall is not currently expected, with intense heat instead seen as the likely trigger for localised cloud formation rather than a broader citywide spell.

The forecast follows a broader weather development affecting the wider region. The Met Office said a monsoon low that formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Odisha coast has since moved over south Chhattisgarh and surrounding areas. The system is expected to continue moving westward, bringing rain and thunderstorms to several parts of Sindh through September 16, positioning Karachi’s patchy showers today as an early signal of the wider spell heading toward the province.

In light of the forecast, the Sindh Provincial Disaster Management Authority issued an advisory a day earlier, urging relevant authorities to take precautionary measures and remain vigilant during the expected weather spell, a routine step taken ahead of periods of anticipated rain to help local administrations prepare for possible urban flooding or disruptions.

For Karachi residents, the mixed forecast means an uncertain day ahead, with the heat and humidity likely to dominate through the morning before any potential afternoon showers, particularly in the city’s suburban belts, while central and coastal areas face comparatively lower odds of significant rainfall.

Compiled by the Weekly PK City Desk.