Seven killed as heavy rain paralyses Karachi

KARACHI:

At least seven people were killed in Karachi on Tuesday after heavy monsoon rains battered the city, flooding neighbourhoods, paralysing traffic and knocking out power, prompting the mayor to enforce a rain emergency.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori held a telephonic conversation with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to brief him on the situation arising from recent heavy rains in Karachi. During the call, he informed the DPM about the challenges caused by urban flooding and requested the federal government’s support in improving conditions in the city.

Dark clouds covered the city by afternoon, followed by heavy showers with strong winds in areas including Surjani Town, Federal B Area, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Qayyumabad, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Malir, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Nazimabad, and New Karachi.

Rainwater quickly inundated major roads and residential streets, with severe flooding reported in Gulshan-e-Hadeed, where water entered homes and forced residents to shift valuables to higher ground. Key intersections such as Hassan Square, Nipa Chowrangi, Jail Chowrangi, Liaquatabad, Korangi, Karsaz and Malir Expressway also witnessed heavy waterlogging.

On the directives of Mayor Murtaza Wahab, a rain emergency has been enforced across Karachi, with all teams placed on high alert to respond to urban flooding, traffic disruptions, and other rain-related incidents.

Rescue officials said seven people lost their lives in rain-related accidents. According to Chhipa, a wall collapse near Aqsa Mosque in Orangi Town’s Sector 11.5 killed an eight-year-old boy identified as Abdullah, son of Abbas. His body was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

In Gulistan-e-Jauhar’s Block 12, four members of a family were killed and a child injured when a house wall gave way. The victims included Maryam, 4; Hamza, 3; and Samiya, 24, wife of Mubeen. Another man, around 28, also died, while a 10-year-old boy sustained injuries.

Municipal officials warned that further downpours could aggravate flooding in low-lying areas as the city struggled with drainage and power breakdowns.

Rainfall statistics in Karachi

Heavy monsoon rains lashed various parts of the city, with Saadi Town receiving the highest recorded rainfall. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the following rainfall measurements were recorded across Karachi:

Saadi Town: 176 mm (highest)

Gulshan-e-Hadeed: 173 mm

Nazimabad: 175.6 mm

Airport (Old Area): 158.7 mm

Jinnah Terminal: 152.8 mm

Surjani Town: 150.6 mm

North Karachi: 144.3 mm

Keamari: 140 mm

University Road: 137.4 mm

Defence Housing Authority: 133 mm

Gulshan-e-Memar: 132.7 mm

Korangi: 120.3 mm

Faisal Base: 115 mm

Masroor Base: 98 mm

Orangi Town: 67.7 mm

Sindh CM puts departments on high alert

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed all concerned departments to remain on high alert during the ongoing monsoon rains. He instructed rescue services and the administration to stay fully mobilised in view of heavy rainfall.

He ordered strict monitoring of drains and the drainage system to prevent urban flooding, and directed the Karachi mayor to ensure machinery and staff remain active for the immediate disposal of rainwater.

The CM advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy downpours. He also directed district administrations, police, and municipal bodies to maintain coordination. Traffic police have been ordered to stay alert at low-lying and busy locations and to provide full guidance to the public during rainfall.

He further urged people to stay away from electricity poles and weak infrastructure, and instructed that monitoring systems be strengthened to keep citizens informed about weather conditions.

Sharjeel Memon urges citizens to stay indoors

Sindh’s Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon appealed to citizens to avoid unnecessary movement outdoors due to heavy monsoon rains across the city.

“The public’s lives and safety are the top priority. Citizens must not step out of their homes unnecessarily,” Memon said in a statement, adding that rainfall was still ongoing in parts of the city. “People should wait for the rain to stop,” he urged.

The minister said the Sindh government’s entire machinery was active in response to the downpour, with drainage work under way across major neighbourhoods. “The provincial government will never abandon the public and every possible facility is being provided,” he said.

Memon noted that under the leadership of Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, the district administration, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Water Board and rescue agencies were fully mobilised. “We are taking measures to drain water through machinery, remove blockages from storm drains and keep emergency routes open,” he added.

Downpour chokes main city arteries

Traffic came to a standstill on major arteries including Shahrah-e-Faisal, University Road and II Chundrigar Road, while long tailbacks were reported at Nagan Chowrangi, Hub River Road and Miran Naka. Vehicles broke down on submerged roads, adding to the gridlock.

Police said traffic flow remained slow on MA Jinnah Road, Liaquat Road, Capri Chowk, Gurumandir and adjoining areas. Bilawal Chowrangi on Khayaban-e-Saadi also faced heavy congestion.

DIG Pir Muhammad Shah said roads were partially blocked due to rain, but traffic was moving slowly. He added that mobile workshops had been deployed, while SPs, DSPs, SOs, SHOs and other officers were present on the roads to assist commuters.

Karachi Traffic Police urged commuters to avoid unnecessary travel, drive slowly, and maintain distance due to slippery conditions. Rescue teams and officers remained deployed across the city to manage flow. The Traffic Police helpline 1915 was made available for route guidance.

The PMD has warned of continued rain in the coming hours, advising residents to remain cautious, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.