More rain, more misery for Karachi

Karachi

As the city’s abusive relationship with rain continued for a second day, at least seven people were reported to have died in related incidents across the city while residents in several areas were, as usual, forced to go about their daily chores without electricity for hours.

With the weather turning extremely humid after over two hours of rain a day earlier, it was around 10:00 am when the metropolis was again hit by strong winds and rainfall on Sunday. 

Starting from Malir, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, areas near University Road and the airport, the heavy rain soon took over the entire city.

As per chief meteorologist, Abdul Rasheed, 15mm rain was recorded near the Karachi airport as well as areas along Sharea Faisal, whereas in Gulistan-e-Jauhar 19mm of rain was recorded.

The Met department however, warned of more rain along with thunder lightening in Karachi in the next 24 hours. The maximum temperature in the city was expected to be 33 degrees Celsius, with humidity expected to be around 81 percent, the Met department stated.

In a routine statement issued after every rainfall, the K-Electric stated that 150 of its feeders tripped during the rain and that repair work was underway.

Reported deaths

With around three deaths reported on Saturday, at least four more people were according to police and hospital reports killed in rain related accidents.

Thirty-year-old Nazeer died after a wall of his house, located near MPR Colony in Orangi Town, collapsed and fell on him while he was sitting near it. 

In two other incidents reported from Civil Lines and Surjani Town, two people were said to have died after the rain caused for the roofs of their respective houses to cave in.

Nineteen-year-old Shahzeb died of electrocution, in PMT Colony, after he touched an electricity pole during rain.

In three other reports of electrocution, 30-year-old Shoaib was apparently repairing an electric appliance when he got electrocuted in his Bara Market residence, according to the Khwaja Ajmer Nagri police.

Jabbar, 25, also died after being electrocuted while repairing an electric appliance in his shop in North Karachi, sector 7/D, while 40-year-old Javed was electrocuted in his Gulshan-e-Sikandarabad residence as he turned on the water pump during rain.

In a bid to save his house from rain water, 62-year-old Nazeer Hussain accidentally fell off the roof of his house located in Commissioner House Quarters, near Artillery Maidan.

Moderate to heavy rain along with gusty winds wreaked havoc on life in the city on Saturday, causing massive traffic jams and knocking down electricity in several parts of the city for several hours.

Sharea Faisal and the adjoining arteries leading to the city’s centre, and University Road, which has already been in a serious mess at several intersections, witnessed scenes of traffic chaos till the late evening, causing great hardships to commuters. The drainage system at various spots did not function up to its capacity, resulting in rainwater inundating roads.

According to the Met Office, the maximum rain of 54mm was recorded at Karachi Airport, followed by 33.5mm of rain on University Road. At the Gulistan-e-Jauhar observatory of Met Office 22.6mm of rain was recorded, North Karachi received 12.8mm of rain, 10mm of rain fell at PAF Faisal, 5mm in Gulshan-e-Hadeed, 4.5mm in North Nazimabad and Keamari received 2mm of rain. 

The Met Office recorded the maximum wind speed of 44 nautical miles per hour as gusts from north westerly direction lashed the city.

Accident

An unidentified man appearing to be around 35 years of age died after he came under a passenger train while crossing a railway track near the City Railway station.