21 killed as rains lash Karachi, interior Sindh

KARACHI: At least 21 people have died in separate rain-related incidents in Karachi and interior Sindh since Friday evening.

The rain began on Friday evening and continued intermittently till Saturday afternoon, leaving 50 percent of Karachi in darkness, as around 250 feeders of K-Electric out of a total of 1,400 were tripped. The K-Electric repaired around 140 feeders and put them in service. Several roads were heavily inundated and communication systems badly disrupted.

Rescue and government officials said around 14 deaths were reported in Karachi from electrocution or roof collapse incidents in low-lying areas while another seven were killed in Badin, Mithi and Thatta in interior Sindh.

The rains also resulted in massive traffic jams and gridlocks in various parts of the city.

The roads in Karachi were deserted on Saturday, as people preferred to stay indoors in the wake of heavy rains.

As the rain water accumulated in various areas of the city, people faced difficulties in reaching their offices.

Accumulation of rain water on various thoroughfares affected the smooth flow of traffic.

Meanwhile, Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed grief over the deaths in rain-related incidents in Karachi and interior Sindh.

In a statement, he asked the Sindh cabinet and the elected representatives to remain alert in their respective areas during the monsoon. He also asked the relevant authorities to ensure that rain water was drained out within the shortest-possible time.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also visited several areas of the city on Saturday morning and directed the officials concerned to make prompt arrangements for draining out the accumulated rain water.

The chief minister also called the chief executive of K-Electric and asked him to take prompt steps for restoring the power supply in the affected areas.

The Meteorological Office earlier described the fresh spell as a “moderate to heavy rainfall” and said the trend was likely to continue for at least 24 hours.

Meteorological Office Director Abdul Rashid explained that the pressure system that developed in Rajasthan had grown over time and had now reached rural Sindh. “The rain will continue for the next three days,” he said.