KARACHI: The death toll from rain-related incidents in Karachi has increased to 17, following ongoing heavy monsoon showers that have battered the city since the previous day. The city received additional rainfall during the night, compounding the flooding situation.
The aftermath of the recent torrential downpour is still evident across Karachi, with flooded streets, stranded vehicles, and numerous potholes disrupting daily life. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported that Gulshan-e-Hadeed received 178 millimeters of rain, while University Road recorded 145 millimeters over the past 24 hours.
Efforts to drain accumulated water continued throughout the day, focusing on critical roads such as Karsaz and Malir Halt, where many vehicles remained stuck. Several neighborhoods, including parts of the Old City Area, Aram Bagh, Sindh High Court vicinity, Liaquatabad, and University Road, experienced severe waterlogging.
Authorities confirmed that the fatalities included children and a woman. In one tragic case, a 70-year-old man with disabilities was found dead inside his PECHS residence after reportedly slipping and falling into accumulated rainwater.The electricity supply situation worsened as approximately 2,000 feeders were restored, but around 240 remain non-operational, leading to power outages across multiple localities like Gulistan-e-Jauhar, North Nazimabad, Malir, Korangi, Orangi Town, Liaquatabad, Gadap, Bin Qasim, PECHS, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Sultanabad, Moinabad, and DHA. Several areas have been without power for over a day.
Flight operations at Jinnah International Airport have been significantly affected, with numerous domestic flights canceled due to staff being unable to reach their stations amid flooding. International flights also experienced delays, adding to the disruptions. In response to the worsening conditions, the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court ordered the closure of all courts in Karachi, including the main and subordinate courts, until further notice.
The PMD has indicated that strong monsoon currents originating from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are impacting southern Pakistan. Expectation of continued rainfall, including isolated heavy falls, has raised concerns about renewed urban flooding in the days ahead.
