Karachi reels from heavy rains, 17 dead in 24 hours

KARACHI: A day after wreaking havoc, heavy monsoon showers hit Karachi again on Wednesday night, as the death toll from rain-related incidents rose to 17 since Tuesday.

The aftermath of yesterday’s urban flooding remains visible across the city, with stranded vehicles and potholes scattered along major thoroughfares.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported 178 millimetres of rainfall in Gulshan-e-Hadeed and 145 millimetres on University Road during the past 24 hours.

Drainage operations continued through the day to clear key roads, including Karsaz and Malir Halt, where several vehicles remained stuck. Rainwater also inundated parts of the Old City Area, Aram Bagh, Sindh High Court, Liaquatabad, and University Road.

Police confirmed that children and a woman were among the deceased. In one incident, a 70-year-old disabled man was found dead inside his PECHS residence after reportedly falling from his bed into accumulated rainwater.

The power situation also worsened, with 2,000 feeders restored but 240 still down, suspending electricity in multiple neighbourhoods, including Gulistan-e-Jauhar, North Nazimabad, Malir, Korangi, Orangi Town, Liaquatabad, Gadap, Bin Qasim, PECHS, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Sultanabad, Moinabad, and DHA. Many areas have been without electricity for over 24 hours.

Flight operations at Jinnah International Airport remain heavily affected, with several domestic flights cancelled as airline and PIA staff were unable to reach duty stations due to flooding. International flight schedules also suffered delays.

In view of the deteriorating conditions, the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court ordered the closure of all courts in Karachi, including the principal seat and subordinate courts.

According to the PMD, strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are impacting southern Pakistan. More showers, with isolated heavy falls, are expected in Karachi today and tomorrow, raising concerns of fresh urban flooding.