Cold Wave Hits Karachi, Pakistan: Temperature Drops to 11°C
A severe cold wave has gripped Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan, with temperatures plummeting to 11°C, causing concerns for residents and posing a challenge to the city's infrastructure. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the city is experiencing cool nights, with nighttime temperatures predicted to drop between 7-9 degrees Celsius.
The drop in temperatures has surged the concentration of particulate matter in the air, reaching 166 micrograms per cubic meter, posing a health risk to residents. The situation is expected to worsen with the forecast of rain and snowfall in various regions, including Sindh, further exacerbating the issue. The city's residents are facing hardships, with freezing water pipes and gas outages reported in some areas.
Meanwhile, other regions in Pakistan are also experiencing colder temperatures, with Quetta recording -4°C and Kalat recording -6°C. The Karachi city is the tenth most polluted city in the world according to the latest Air Quality Index, making it even more challenging for residents to cope with the cold weather. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has advised residents to prepare for the harsh weather conditions, and has issued warnings for several cities in Punjab, including Lahore, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala.
As the cold wave is expected to grip the country from December 8, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecasted a 4-6 degrees temperature drop in Punjab, KPK, GB, and Kashmir, and 5-7°C in Balochistan and Sindh. Frost is likely to develop over the plains, while moderate rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, and other areas. Road closures are expected, especially in Kashmir, GB, and Rawalpindi districts.
The city and its residents are bracing for the worst as the cold wave is expected to continue in the coming days. The authorities are advising residents to take necessary precautions, including conserving energy and staying indoors to avoid the harsh weather conditions.
