Karachi( The COW News Digital) Heavy monsoon rains battered Karachi on Tuesday, submerging large parts of the city, crippling transportation, and leaving at least 10 people dead in rain-related incidents.
The downpour, which began early in the morning and continued intermittently throughout the day, overwhelmed Karachi’s drainage system, causing urban flooding across several neighborhoods. Major roads including Shahrah-e-Faisal, University Road, and I.I. Chundrigar Road were inundated, leaving commuters stranded for hours. Vehicles, buses, and motorcycles stalled in deep water, forcing residents to push their cars through flooded streets.
In several low-lying areas such as Surjani Town, Garden, Shadman Town, Sakhi Hassan, and North Karachi, rainwater entered homes, displacing families and damaging businesses. At Naghan Chowrangi’s food street, dozens of shops were submerged, resulting in heavy financial losses for small traders.
Tragically, the rains also led to fatalities. According to rescue officials, at least 10 people lost their lives due to incidents of electrocution and collapsing walls. Power outages were reported in multiple parts of the city, with several neighborhoods left without electricity for hours. The rain also disrupted internet and mobile phone services, further isolating residents.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) confirmed that Gulshan-e-Hadeed recorded the heaviest rainfall, measuring 170 millimeters, followed by Old Airport with 158 mm, Jinnah Terminal at 153 mm, and Nazimabad with 150 mm. More rainfall is forecast for Wednesday, raising fears of additional flooding and disruption.
In response to the worsening crisis, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah convened an emergency meeting with provincial ministers including Sharjeel Memon, Saeed Ghani, and Nasir Shah. The Chief Minister announced a public holiday in Karachi on Wednesday, citing the need to minimize public movement and avoid further casualties. “We have declared a holiday to prevent citizens from facing hardship as more rain is expected,” Shah said during the briefing.
Authorities have begun clearing main roads, but urban flooding remains a challenge due to inadequate drainage infrastructure. Emergency teams are on high alert as the city braces for another spell of heavy rain.
The relentless monsoon has once again exposed Karachi’s fragile infrastructure and lack of preparedness for extreme weather, leaving residents frustrated and vulnerable.
