The ongoing Karachi rains have turned deadly, with the death toll rising to seven while rescue teams shifted more than 300 residents to safety. Heavy downpours swelled the Lyari and Malir rivers, causing widespread flooding and triggering large-scale relief operations across the city.
Rivers Overflow Amid Urban Challenges
Lyari and Malir rivers, once natural stormwater channels, now struggle to carry floodwater. Years of unchecked urban expansion, solid waste dumping, and encroachments have turned these waterways into open sewers. Their reduced capacity worsened the flooding, as heavy monsoon showers pushed them beyond their limits.
Rising Death Toll
Rescue services confirmed that four more people lost their lives on Wednesday, bringing the total deaths to seven since the rains began. Three others remain missing.
The Edhi Foundation reported that a van carrying four people was swept into the rain-filled Konkar Nadi in Gadap Town. Two men and a woman drowned. They were identified as 60-year-old Nabu Gulab, 45-year-old Raja Gulab, and 45-year-old Javed Shah. Search teams are still looking for the fourth passenger.
In a separate incident, 18-year-old Ahmed Qadir died of electrocution in North Nazimabad. His body was brought to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, officials confirmed.
Rescue 1122 said two men went missing in the Malir river. One, identified as Mustafa Ali Gul, was rescued alive. However, Farhan Akram remains unaccounted for. Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad and the Malir deputy commissioner oversaw the rescue operation.
Read: Punjab Floods Leave Millions Stranded
Meanwhile, two more people were saved after being trapped in the Lyari river, according to Rescue 1122.
Government Refutes Rumors
Rumors about Shahrah-i-Bhutto or the Malir Expressway caving in spread quickly on social media. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah dismissed these claims during a media briefing.
“The Malir Expressway is still under construction. A bund is being built, and when water flows through incomplete parts, it finds its way through,” he explained. “There is no collapse.”
The chief minister’s spokesperson echoed the denial, clarifying that only unpaved sections of the road had sunk due to rainwater. He stressed that traffic continues to flow on completed sections.
Rainfall Data
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Karachi received 144mm of rainfall since September 8. The highest in the latest 24-hour period was recorded in DHA Phase 7 at 31.5mm.
Other significant figures include:
PAF Masroor Base: 18mm
Gulshan-i-Maymar: 16mm
Korangi: 15.4mm
Keamari: 15mm
Surjani Town: 13mm
North Karachi: 12mm
The lowest totals were in Bahria Town with 2mm and Jinnah Terminal with 4mm. Surjani Town saw the heaviest rainfall overall since September 8, crossing 100mm.
CM Visits Flooded Areas
Chief Minister Shah toured various parts of the city to assess drainage efforts. He visited Lyari river, Saadi Town, Shahrah-i-Bhutto Expressway, and Jinnah Avenue.
Officials briefed him that overflow from Lath and Thado Dams had pushed water into Saadi Town. Footage showed the Superhighway-Thado Dam road submerged. Shah met residents and ordered authorities to speed up drainage.
At Jinnah Avenue, he inspected dewatering machinery, while during his Lyari visit, he noted that water levels were high but flowing steadily. He traced the river’s path from Manghopir and Gadap through Orangi Town, SITE, Nazimabad, and Lyari before reaching the sea.
The chief minister also reviewed construction at Shahrah-i-Bhutto Expressway and visited Qayyumabad Chowk near Korangi Causeway, accompanied by ministers Saeed Ghani and Sharjeel Inam Memon.
Mass Relocation Efforts
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab confirmed that 318 people were rescued from flood-prone areas near Lyari Naddi. Teams remain active on the ground.
Rescue 1122 and the Pakistan Army evacuated 10 people from Saadi Town. Two men, three women, and six children were rescued near Saima Society. Eight more were pulled to safety in Nashr Basti and Isa Nagri.
Provincial ministers said large-scale operations continue. “The situation is gradually improving, but the Lyari and Malir rivers overflowed due to dam filling and heavy rains,” Memon explained.
Schools Closed Across Karachi
The Sindh government ordered all educational institutions in Karachi to close on September 10. The commissioner’s notification cited heavy rains and more showers in the forecast.
The PMD reported that the depression over southwest Sindh has weakened into a low-pressure area but warned of light to moderate rains in Karachi, Jamshoro, Thatta, and Sujawal. Hot and humid weather is expected otherwise. Another rain spell is predicted in the next 24–48 hours.
Wider Damage Across Sindh
Beyond Karachi, hundreds of straw-mud houses in Tharparkar and Dadu districts collapsed after days of relentless rain. Local authorities confirmed large-scale losses as monsoon activity persisted.
PM Orders Relief Measures
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the deaths in Karachi and directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to intensify relief work. He called for close cooperation with Sindh authorities and praised the efforts of Rescue 1122, the Pakistan Army, and Rangers.
He instructed officials to locate missing persons quickly and urged public awareness campaigns to warn citizens of flood risks. He also ordered immediate restoration of damaged infrastructure.
“The federal and Sindh governments are fully mobilised to deal with the situation,” the premier said, stressing that relief and rehabilitation of affected families must remain the top priority.
A City on Edge
For Karachi, the rains once again exposed deep structural issues — clogged drains, encroachments, and weak infrastructure. While rescue teams battle to save lives, the overflowing rivers highlight the urgent need for long-term solutions. As forecasts predict more rainfall, the city waits anxiously, hoping the worst has passed.
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