From Zeeshan Mirza
KARACHI: The death toll from rain-related incidents in Karachi rose to 17 on Wednesday after intermittent downpours battered the city since the day before, with the port city receiving more monsoon showers at night.
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.
Speaking to media, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said that while main roads had largely been cleared after the rains, drainage work was still underway in several waterlogged areas.
“Drainage efforts are continuing where rainwater has accumulated,” he said, noting that the city received over 235mm of rainfall—far exceeding its drainage capacity of just 40mm.
Wahab said that 3.024 million cubic feet of debris had so far been removed from storm drains, improving water flow and easing drainage across the city.
He acknowledged shortcomings in the drainage system but stressed the need for long-term solutions. “Basic steps are needed to expand drainage capacity, but this requires land and faces resistance from residents, making the task difficult,” the mayor said.
“Traffic is moving, but slows down where water remains on the sides of roads. Overall, the situation has improved compared to earlier in the day,” he added.
The mayor also confirmed receiving complaints about power outages in multiple neighbourhoods.
