KARACHI: Rain was reported in scattered parts of Karachi in the wee hours of Sunday as another monsoon spell comes into the city. The Met Office has predicted that the fresh spell would last for two days.

“Overall, a tendency for above normal precipitation is predicted over most parts of the country,” said the Pakistan Meteorological Department outlook for August. “Northeastern Punjab, Kashmir, southern parts of Sindh as well as coastal areas of Balochistan are expected to receive above normal rainfall during the forecast month.”

Most parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan might receive slightly above normal whereas Gilgit Baltistan might receive nearly normal rainfall during August. It was of the view that heavy rainfall could trigger flash flooding in hilly areas of Punjab, AJK and KP, as well as urban flooding in plain areas ie major cities of Punjab, Sindh and KP.

Drizzling was reported in Garden, Lasbela, Golimar, and Liaquatabad areas.

Total rainfall (mm) recorded in Karachi over last 24 hours on July 31 at 8am

Four drowned at Turtle beach

Meanwhile, four men drowned at Turtle beach in Hawksbay, rescue sources said. They managed to recover the body of one of the men and shifted it to the Civil Hospital.

The Karachi commissioner had imposed Section 144 (which bans the gathering of five or more people and the holding of public gatherings and rallies) of the Criminal Procedure Code in the wake of torrential rain in the city and banned swimming in the sea for a week.

“A week ban from July 25 to 31 has been imposed on swimming,” said the notification. It directed the administration to ensure the implementation of Section 144.

Some families were swimming in the sea and no person from the administration was seen to stop them despite the ban, showed a video, available with Aaj News, received from rescue sources.

The incident comes a day after a man was drowned in the sea.

At least 41 people were killed in rain in Karachi, said the Provincial Disaster Management Authority daily situation report covering from June 20 to July 29. Ten victims belonged to Malir, seven were from Korangi, eight from the South district and six from the East district.