Karachi’s ‘feels like’ temperature stays above 50°C despite rain

Karachi has been receiving short spells of rain for the past few days but the heat does not seem like declining as the temperature in the metropolis felt searing 53°C on Sunday.

The Met Office said that the mercury went as high as 40°C, feeling like 53°C in reality, despite much-awaited showers that have been lashing parts of the city since Friday, as it remains gripped by hot and humid weather.

Sporadic downpours hit the megapolis for the third consecutive day today, with light drizzle reported in some areas near Jinnah International Airport.

Areas including Sohrab Goth, Safoora Chowrangi, FB Area, Surjani Town, and Sharea Faisal have also witnessed some light to moderate showers.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has said rain-carrying clouds may spread over western and central districts.

Last week, at least two people succumbed to extremely hot weather as the temperature reached alarmingly high levels in Karachi, making life miserable for the masses as they also faced hours-long unannounced load-shedding despite the power utility’s assurances.

The temperature in the metropolis reached a sweltering 40.5°C which in reality felt like scorching 56°C on July 17.

Meteorologists say that the “feels like” temperature is the perceived temperature in a certain area and can be higher owing to environmental factors, despite the actual temperature.

It is the temperature which is sensed by the human body after its interaction with the temperature reflected from Earth’s surface.

Furthermore, the health department revealed that nearly 50 heatstroke cases were reported in the last 24 hours.