Karachi rain brought the city to a standstill on Tuesday. Hours of downpour flooded major roads, trapped vehicles, and plunged several areas into darkness. Authorities rushed to control the chaos as warnings of urban flooding and more rain ahead created further alarm.
Roads Underwater and Traffic at a Halt
By mid-afternoon, visuals showed main arteries of Karachi submerged in water. Vehicles stalled while motorcyclists struggled through knee-deep water. The Karachi Traffic Police issued alerts at 3:37 pm, reporting slow movement across major routes in District South, East, Central, West, and Malir.
Key choke points included Capri Chowk, MA Jinnah Road, Bahadurabad, University Road, Lasbela, NIPA, Gulbai Chowk, National Highway, and Jinnah Avenue. Officers urged drivers to maintain distance, avoid sudden braking, and reduce speed to stay safe.
Government Moves into Action
Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah directed all deputy commissioners, Rescue 1122, the health department, and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to remain on high alert. He ordered rainwater drainage to begin immediately and emphasized direct coordination with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
“All deputy commissioners should be in the field with their teams,” he said while reviewing the emergency response.
Read: Karachi Rain Brings Relief but Leaves Roads Flooded
PMD Warns of More Rain
The PMD forecasted intermittent showers throughout the day with humidity levels touching 85 percent. At 2 pm, Nazimabad had received the highest rainfall at 76.9 millimeters, followed by North Karachi with 56.8mm, Surjani Town with 36mm, and Orangi Town with 31.2mm. Other areas like Keamari, DHA Phase VII, and Korangi also recorded significant rainfall.
Later, a fresh advisory warned of torrential rains in Sindh and parts of Balochistan between August 19 and 22. The PMD said strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal were penetrating southern Pakistan, raising risks of both urban and flash floods.
Power Outages Hit Hard
Karachi’s fragile power system faltered once again. As of 4:15 pm, only 1,340 of 2,100 feeders were supplying electricity, according to K-Electric. A spokesperson explained that power had been cut in several low-lying and encroached areas as a safety measure.
“Accumulated water is making restoration difficult. Teams will resume work once conditions allow safe clearance,” the spokesperson said.
The outages also disrupted sewage pumping stations in some areas, though emergency generators were deployed to keep them running.
Emergency Declared Across Karachi
Mayor Murtaza Wahab declared a citywide rain emergency. He cancelled all holidays for municipal workers and directed essential departments to stay on duty. Fire brigades, municipal services, and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams were ordered to set up a Rain Emergency Cell to coordinate relief work.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also chaired an emergency meeting a day earlier. He instructed all local bodies, administration, and traffic police to stay alert and ensure strong coordination.
Police on High Alert
The East Zone DIG Dr Farrukh Ali instructed all SHOs and SDPOs to remain present in their respective areas. He ordered them to ensure drainage, regulate traffic, and protect citizens’ lives and property.
Police rescue teams and helplines were made available for the public. Citizens were advised to avoid unnecessary travel, especially near waterlogged areas and power installations. “Police are with the public at all times in all weathers,” the DIG’s statement said.
Citizens Urged to Stay Cautious
Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani contacted town and municipal chairmen, directing them to drain water from major highways first to allow relief machinery to pass. Smaller roads and residential streets would be cleared in the second phase.
He urged citizens to limit movement, avoid electric poles, and stay safe. “The first priority is to keep important routes functional. Citizens should stay patient while work continues,” he said.
Karachi Braces for More
Despite the city’s efforts, the rain showed no signs of slowing. The PMD cautioned that heavy downpours could trigger urban flooding in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, and other districts. It also warned of flash floods in Balochistan’s northern and southeastern regions.
For now, Karachi residents remain anxious. The monsoon rain brings much-needed relief from summer heat, but in a city with poor drainage and fragile infrastructure, it also brings chaos, danger, and uncertainty.
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