KARACHI: A severe windstorm combined with heavy rainfall hit Karachi, leaving at least 19 people dead and more than 60 injured as multiple accidents unfolded across the city.
Strong winds and rain swept through neighborhoods such as North Nazimabad, North Karachi, Surjani, FB Area, Saddar, and Clifton, while areas including Cantt, Railway Colony, Delhi Colony, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulshan-e-Jamal, and Garden also faced intense weather conditions. The storm brought thunder and lightning, and widespread power outages were reported soon after it began.
Electricity disruptions affected several localities, including Moeenabad, Al-Amgir Society, Shadman Town (Sector 14-A), parts of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, DHA Phases I and II, Akhtar Colony, Kashmir Colony, and North Karachi.
Weather officials reported wind speeds reaching 90 km/h on Shahrah-e-Faisal and up to 97 km/h in Mauripur. The powerful gusts uprooted trees and toppled billboards, causing major traffic disruptions. In Clifton, a fallen tree trapped two individuals near the Driving License Branch, while another incident in Mohammad Ali Society saw a billboard collapse on Tipu Sultan Road.
The most tragic incident took place in Baldia’s Moach Goth, where a collapsing wall killed 13 people and left others injured. Rescue teams rushed to the scene and continued operations amid concerns that more individuals could be buried under the rubble. Authorities said the upper portion of the structure fell onto the lower level, and the building was not being used as a residence.
Initial reports suggested the victims had taken shelter inside the structure to escape the storm. Senior officials, including the Sindh Chief Minister, took immediate notice, while Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited the site to oversee rescue efforts and ensure proper medical care for the injured.
Additional fatalities were reported elsewhere: in Quaidabad’s Majeed Colony, a man and a woman died after a wall collapse; in Malir’s Yaro Goth, one person was killed by lightning; and in Korangi, separate incidents involving a roof collapse and a fallen tree also resulted in deaths.
The Meteorological Department indicated that while no further rain is expected tonight, more showers could occur later in the day, potentially with strong winds and thunderstorms. Heavy downpours and isolated hailstorms are also possible. Light rain is forecast for the first day of Eid, while a new western weather system between March 24 and 27 may bring additional rainfall to Karachi and other parts of Sindh.
