Karachi rains leave 10 dead, wreck neglected infrastructure

KARACHI: At least 10 people were killed in the two days up to Monday of torrential rainstorms that lashed the metropolis, wrecking its neglected infrastructure, flooding streets and multiple neighbourhoods, and causing traffic jams on major thoroughfares.

According to authorities, the 10 people died in different incidents during the rains in Karachi, with seven of them — including a child — killed by electrocution.

Police said a 10-year-old child was electrocuted in Gulshan-e-Hadeed Phase 2, a 22-year-old man in Landhi’s Qaddafi Town, two in their homes near Garden’s Fawwara Chowk and Orangi Town’s Sector 11½, respectively, another in a local cattle market, and two near Suparco Road, Baldia Town.

One person died after falling into a drain in Orangi Sector 11½, while another was killed when a wall collapsed near Liaqatabad’s Gujjar Nala, authorities confirmed.

One man died when lightning stuck him in Bin Qasim Town, police added.

Most areas of Karachi remained inundated with rainwater Monday as heavy rainfall lashed the metropolis, causing citizens to suffer due to urban flooding, prolonged power outages, and traffic jams.

Heavy downpour in Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, Ayesha Manzil, Baldia, Power House Chowrangi, Orangi Town, and Hyderi caused roads and streets to become inundated.

Despite the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) having earlier forecast a third spell of monsoon, the city’s administration failed to make the adequate arrangements to tackle the long-sought issue of urban flooding.

As soon as it started raining, multiple roads in Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Gulistan-e-Jauhar were flooded. Traffic jams ensued and as cars were stranded on both sides of the Safari Park.

In this regard, the chairperson of Karachi’s Central district, Rehan Hashmi, said the urban flooding situation in the city would continue to remain the same until the rain stops. However, he said the DMC central district has done what was possible to prevent the city from flooding situation.

“The situation calls for improving infrastructure in urban areas,” he added.

Since yesterday, more than 550 K-Electric (KE) feeders had tripped as the third spell of rain lashed the city.