Heavy monsoon in Pakistan kill six, paralyse Karachi
Pakistani authorities said the downpour submerged underpasses, stalled traffic for hours and inundated homes across neighbourhoods including Clifton and Defence. Stormwater drains overflowed, highlighting the strain on the city’s infrastructure
At least six people were killed in Karachi on Tuesday as heavy monsoon rains flooded major roads, disrupted flights and left large parts of Pakistan's largest city without power, officials said.
Pakistani authorities said the downpour submerged underpasses, stalled traffic for hours and inundated homes across neighbourhoods including Clifton and Defence. Stormwater drains overflowed, highlighting the strain on the city's infrastructure.
Five people died in house and wall collapses and one from electrocution, according to rescue officials. Dozens of residents were evacuated from a high-rise in Soldier Bazaar after floodwater reached the first floor, says Dawn.
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By late evening, rainfall ranged from 170 mm in Gulshan-i-Hadeed to 66 mm in Orangi Town, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said. The Sindh provincial government declared Wednesday a public holiday to allow emergency services to continue relief efforts.
The PMD warned of further downpours over the next two days as a low-pressure system over India's Gujarat state intensifies. "It's an unprecedented heavy downpour," said Anjum Niaz Zaigham, a PMD spokesperson.
Flights at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport were delayed, cancelled or diverted, the Civil Aviation Authority said. Major arteries including Sharea Faisal and I.I. Chundrigar Road were left waterlogged, forcing commuters to abandon vehicles as traffic gridlocked for hours.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, offering federal support for relief operations, officials said. Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori also sought assistance from Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
