Residents of Karachi braced for another spell of torrential rain on Thursday with schools shut and public hospitals operating on minimal staff. Most offices remained shut, barring essential services, with the provincial government urging citizens to avoid commuting and stay home. Power outages continued in various areas of the city.
Over 15 people have died in rain-related incidents. Most were deaths by electrocution, while at least three people fell into an open manhole.
A case has been registered at Shah Faisal Colony Police Station against K-Electric CEO Syed Moonis Abdullah Alvi, KE IBC Shah Faisal and other officers of the power utility over the electrocution deaths of two brothers.
The FIR, filed on behalf of the deceased’s father, Sultan, states the younger brother, Siraj, was electrocuted by an underground high-tension cable when he went out to buy groceries. The older brother, Murad, tried to save Siraj and was electrocuted in the process.
Passersby managed to get the brothers off the submerged road, but Siraj had died on the spot. Murad was shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), where he succumbed to his injuries.
Read: Karachi reels from torrential rains
Sultan has sought complete legal action against KE’s negligence in the FIR registered under Sections 322 [about murder without intention to cause harm] and 268 [causing public nuisance].
Power outage
Despite the gaps in rainfall, power outages across the city persist. Residents in different areas of the city, including North Nazimabad Block A, Gulistan-e-Jauhar Block 9 and Safora Goth Scheme 33, have been without electricity for over 36 hours, with power shut off from the first spell of rain on Monday afternoon.
In other localities, including several phases of Defence Housing Authority and Stadium Road, residents complained about continued power disruption well into Tuesday night.
In Saudabad, Ghazi Goth, Khuda Ki Basti, Ibrahim Hyderi and Shanti Nagar Stadium Road, power had not been restored for 28 hours, while in Federal B Area Block 14, Nank Wara, Yousuf Goth, Ramswami, Keamari and Azam Basti, residents were without electricity for over 22 hours.
Rain on the cards
The next round of scattered showers is expected to hit this afternoon, which the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned could be heavier than yesterday. This spate of rain is expected to last till Friday.
On Tuesday, Karachiites woke up to a sunny morning, which was overcast by 2pm and within minutes, heavy rainfall hit several areas of the city. The torrential downpour lasted for a few hours, submerging major thoroughfares and flooding low-lying areas of the metropolis. Rain continued again post sundown and lasted well into the night.
PMD’s forecast for today follows a similar pattern. Strong winds are circulating the rainfall system, said Chief Meteorologist Aamir Haider Laghari, explaining gusts that hit last night along with rain. Today, there might be gusts stronger than usual, he added.
The monsoon system is expected to start weakening late tonight and likely to gradually dissipate by Friday morning, according to Laghari.
The skies are expected to remain mostly cloudy on Friday and Saturday, and partly cloudy conditions are forecast for Sunday and Monday. Mild weather conditions are expected to prevail for the next few days under the effects of the monsoon system.
According to PMD, a low-pressure system remains highly active, with thunderstorms, strong winds, and heavy rain expected across Sindh, particularly in Karachi, from the afternoon through the evening and night.
Temperatures are likely to range between 28°C at the minimum and 31°C at the maximum, with high humidity causing significant discomfort.
Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab reached District Central, inspecting various locations including Nagin Chowrangi, Two-Minute Chowrangi, Surjani, Sakhi Hassan, KDA Chowrangi, Hyderi and other areas.
The mayor said that Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) teams worked day and night to clear all affected areas, which he inspected.
Read more: Record rainfall wake-up call on climate change: mayor
He added that timely disposal efforts and swift performance of the staff ensured drainage of rainwater.
“The process of draining rainwater from across the city is being carried out at the earliest,” Wahab said.
During his visit, the mayor also listened to public complaints and issued immediate directives for their resolution.
Rain-related deaths
At least 18 people, including women and children, have died in rain-related incidents across Karachi since Tuesday. The deaths were caused by wall collapses, electrocution and drowning.
On Thursday, two brothers, Siraj and Murad, were electrocuted by an underground high-tension cable in Shah Faisal Colony. Their father has filed an FIR against K-Electric officials for negligence.
Also read: Two days of relentless rains in Karachi leave at least 16 dead
Rescue officials said two children drowned in drains in Sohrab Goth and Liaquatabad, while bodies of an elderly man and a teenager were recovered from waterlogged areas in New Sabzi Mandi and Gulshan-e-Maymar.
A 50-year-old man, Muhammad Abbas, drowned after falling into an uncovered drain near Guru Mandir.
In Gulistan-e-Jauhar, the collapse of a private school’s wall on roadside huts killed two women and two children; a three-year-old girl later died of her injuries, raising the toll to five. An eight-year-old boy was also killed in a wall collapse in Orangi Town.
Separately, at least five people, including young men and an elderly person, died of electrocution in DHA, Shahrah e Faisal, North Karachi and Gizri Bridge.
Climate change
Climate change expert Fatima Yamin stressed that while mitigation and adaptation are important, they are often overhyped, and greater investment is needed in preparedness and prevention.
She said these measures are crucial not only to prepare communities for future challenges but also to prevent severe damage to infrastructure, particularly homes and schools.
Yamin noted that Pakistan does not offer disaster insurance or immediate compensation, forcing affected people to rebuild their livelihoods from scratch.
She added that climate impacts should not be dismissed as natural phenomena, as unchecked mining, deforestation and industrialisation are worsening the crisis.
Yamin further said Pakistan could strengthen its position at COP by ensuring transparency in the use of climate finance and the reconstruction funds received after the 2022 floods.
She pointed out that the government appears to be investing more in humanitarian response than in prevention and preparedness, while international partners are providing adaptation and mitigation funding.
Pakistan, she emphasised, must also demonstrate how much of its domestic revenue is allocated to climate action, rather than relying solely on loans and grants.
Flight operations
Adverse weather has caused significant disruption to flight operations at Karachi airport, with at least 12 flights delayed so far.
Both domestic and international services have been affected.
According to airport officials, Iraq Airways’ flight to Najaf departed an hour late at 6am, while Airblue’s Karachi–Jeddah flight 170 left seven hours behind schedule at 10am.
Qatar Airways flight 605 to Doha, Flydubai flight 332 to Dubai, and Etihad Airways flight 297 to Abu Dhabi each departed an hour late.
On the domestic side, PIA’s Karachi–Skardu flight 455 and Karachi–Islamabad flight 300 faced delays of an hour and 20 minutes, respectively, while Serene Air’s Karachi–Lahore flight 520 was delayed by 30 minutes.
AirSial’s Karachi–Islamabad flight 121, scheduled for 7am, had not departed by the time of reporting, and PIA’s Karachi–Lahore flight 302, scheduled for 8am, was also still grounded.
PIA’s Karachi–Gwadar service (503) was cancelled altogether, while Fly Adeal’s Karachi–Riyadh flight 3662 was delayed by half an hour.
Saudi Airlines’ Karachi–Jeddah flight 701 finally departed at 10:10am, an hour late.
Government Official
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, offering prayers for journalist Khawar Hussain before his press conference, said climate change was a global challenge and Pakistan, despite its minimal role in emissions, was suffering its impacts.
He noted that since June, heavy rains had claimed 447 lives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 165 in Punjab, 40 in Sindh, 23 in Balochistan and 8 in Islamabad. Continuous downpours, he said, caused urban flooding in Karachi, where Manghopir recorded 246mm of rain. Most city deaths were from electrocution.
Memon said advance drain cleaning was carried out, heavy machinery was deployed, and the chief minister monitored the situation. He apologised for the citizens’ difficulties but said water drainage was largely managed.
He accused some media houses of running campaigns against the PPP, while Dawn acknowledged improved drainage. Criticising opponents, he said those now attacking the government had seen far more deaths during their tenures.
A public holiday was declared, with people advised to stay indoors. Memon stressed the Sindh government remained on the streets throughout the crisis and urged that such issues should not be politicised.
Sindh Minister for Local Government, Saeed Ghani, visited various areas of Karachi on Thursday.
He was accompanied by Sindh Chief Minister’s Special Assistant Usman Hingoro, Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso, Lyari Town Chairman Nasir Karim, Municipal Commissioner Hammad N D Khan, PPP District South President Jawaid Nagori, as well as chairmen of different union councils of Lyari and other officials.
The provincial minister inspected rainwater drainage work in low-lying areas and streets during his visit to II Chundrigar Road, Lighthouse, M.A. Jinnah Road, Bolton Market, Merewether Tower, Kharadar, Nayaabad, Khadda Market and other parts of Lyari.
“After clearing all major thoroughfares of rainwater, efforts are now being expedited to drain water from adjoining streets and neighbourhoods,” Ghani said. He added that drainage of rainwater from all main roads in Karachi had been completed.
“At one or two sites, drainage work at underpasses is under way, which will also be completed by this evening and the underpasses will be reopened,” he stated.
The minister directed the deputy commissioner and other relevant officials to install small and large pumps in areas where complaints of water stagnation are being received.
He said the Water Board had also been instructed to immediately resolve sewerage issues in affected areas.
During his visit to the Lyari pumping station, Ghani contacted the CEO of the Water Corporation regarding a malfunctioning pump and directed that it be replaced without delay.
“At present, all departments under the Sindh government and local bodies are fully active,” the minister said, adding that all elected municipal representatives were also present among the people.
Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Wednesday described the recent torrential rains in Karachi as a stark reminder of the global climate crisis, urging citizens to recognize the reality of climate change and respond with practical solutions.
Addressing a press conference at Frere Hall, Wahab said cities worldwide-including New York, Dubai, and Mumbai-are facing similar challenges. He cited recent climate-related disasters in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir as further evidence of the growing threat.
Karachi witnessed two intense spells of rainfall on Tuesday, with Manghopir recording 235mm and citywide totals exceeding 170mm in just 12 hours.
“Our storm-water drains are designed for only 40mm. When rainfall exceeds that multiple times, disruption is inevitable,” Wahab explained.
