From Zeeshan Mirza
At least 18 people were killed and several others injured as heavy rain and thunderstorms, coupled with strong winds, lashed parts of Karachi on Wednesday night.
Showers were recorded in several localities, including Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulzar-e-Hijri, North Karachi, Surjani Town and North Nazimabad.
Rain was also reported in Saddar, Tower, Sharea Faisal, II Chundrigar Road, Federal B Area, Hassan Square, Manghopir, SITE area, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, Defence and Clifton.
Heavy downpour was also reported at Karachi airport, Model Town and various areas of Malir.
The PMD said strong winds accompanied the rainfall, with wind speeds reaching 90 kilometres per hour on Sharea Faisal and 97 kilometres per hour in Mauripur.
In Baldia Town, 11 people were killed due to a wall collapse. Separately, a wall collapse in Landhi’s Majeed Colony killed two people, including a woman, while three people sustained injuries.
Another person lost his life after being struck by lightning in yet another incident near Yaru Goth in Malir River.
A woman was also killed when the roof of her house collapsed in Korangi’s Sector 3½, while another man lost his life after a tree fell on him in Korangi No 5.
Rescue authorities said at least seven people were injured in various incidents linked to the rain across the city.
According to the weather department, Korangi recorded the highest rainfall at 55.6 millimetres. As of 11pm, Mauripur received 22 millimetres, while DHA Phase-II received 15mm.
Other areas report lighter rainfall, including Gulistan-e-Jauhar with 13mm, Kemari 12mm, Airport Old Area 9mm, Sharea Faisal 9mm, Saddar Town 9mm, and Jinnah Terminal 8mm.
Meanwhile, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said the city was witnessing significant rainfall accompanied by strong winds.
“Would request people to avoid unnecessary movement until the situation settles. Will keep everyone posted,” he said in a statement on X.
In another post later on, the mayor said: “Several trees had fallen due to heavy gusts of wind”. He urged citizens to avoid using Club Road in front of Karachi Gymkhana.
Met Office predicts rainfall till Thursday
Earlier in the day, the weather department forecast that rain and thunderstorms with strong winds, along with isolated hailstorms, are likely to affect Karachi and other parts of Sindh on Wednesday and Thursday, as a westerly wave moves into the country’s western regions.
Under the influence of this weather system, the PMD said that rain and thunderstorms with strong winds, isolated hail, and occasional moderate to heavy showers are expected in Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Matiari, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Nosheroferoz, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu districts, and across the Karachi division.
Rain/thunderstorm with strong winds” were also likely in Larkana, Qambar Shahdadkot, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Ghotki and Sukkur districts today and tomorrow with occasional gaps,” it added.
“Lightning strikes may occur at isolated places during the forecast period,” the PMD warned, advising farmers to manage their crops “according to the prevailing weather conditions”.
