The death toll in Karachi related to rain incidents on Wednesday has risen to 7, with over 300 people relocated due to heavy monsoon showers that have swollen the Lyari and Malir rivers.
These rivers, which serve as the city’s main storm drains, are severely impacted by urban encroachments and blockage, leading to frequent flooding during rainstorms.
Streets and houses in low-lying areas were inundated as the city endured a third consecutive day of heavy monsoon rains.
The situation has also caused rescues and ongoing search operations for missing persons. Authorities have refuted rumors of infrastructure collapse, clarifying that some under-construction areas are affected by water but remain controlled.
Additionally, educational institutions in Karachi were also closed due to the heavy rains and forecasts of further showers. The recent rainfall since September 8 has been significant, with some areas receiving up to 144mm of rain.
According to the PMD, from September 8 to 8am on September 10, the highest rainfall was recorded in Surjani Town at 143.8 millimetres.
Gulshan-e-Maymar received 109.8mm, Gulshan-e-Hadeed 92mm, Korangi 92mm, North Karachi 81.6mm, and DHA 74.5mm.
Meanwhile, Shahrah-e-Faisal logged 64mm, Nazimabad 60.5mm and Saadi Town 60.2mm. University Road recorded 58.8mm, Old Airport 58.3mm, Orangi 47.2mm, Mauripur 45mm and Jinnah Terminal 38.6mm.
Rescue teams, including the Pakistan Army, are actively involved in moving people to safety and managing floodwaters.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah toured the rain affected areas of the metropolis on Wednesday, including, Malir 15, Qayyumabad, Korangi Causeway, and Shahrah-e-Bhutto, where he reviewed drainage work and met residents in Saadi Town.
Taking notice of the floods in Karachi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, instructed NDMA to assist the Sindh government and PDMA in relief operations.
He stressed that the rehabilitation of affected families must be prioritised, while expressing grief over the Gadap drowning incident.
Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted that the weather system over Sindh has weakened into a low-pressure area west of Karachi, yet light to moderate rain is expected in Karachi Division, Jamshoro, Thatta and Sujawal.
PMD also warned that River Indus at Guddu is likely to reach very high flood level within 24 hours, and Sukkur is expected to hit high flood stage after 48 hours.