Heavy Rains Continue to Disrupt Life in Karachi

A fresh spell of rain hit Karachi on Wednesday, adding to the city’s ongoing problems with urban flooding, power outages, and traffic disruptions. Many areas remained underwater while large parts of the city faced long hours without electricity.

Power supply was suspended for more than 24 hours in areas such as Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Malir, Mehmoodabad, Akhtar Colony, Manzoor Colony, and Defence View. While electricity was restored in some places after several hours, many neighbourhoods remained in the dark.

K-Electric, the city’s only power company, said that its field teams continued working throughout the rainfall. Feeders were turned off in some places as a safety measure. The company explained that restoration work was made difficult by waterlogging and traffic congestion, especially in low-lying areas where access was limited.

Moderate to heavy rain was reported in several parts of the city including Shah Faisal Colony, PECHS, the Jinnah Hospital area, Malir Halt, and Rafah Aam. Strong winds accompanied the rainfall in some places. Other affected areas included Bahadurabad, Jamshed Road, Tipu Sultan Road, Gulzar-e-Hijri Scheme 33, Sohrab Goth, Super Highway, Saddar, Metropole, and Civil Lines. These showers led to more traffic jams and increased flooding in already waterlogged areas.

Officials advised citizens to stay indoors wherever possible, as many roads remain flooded and traffic is moving slowly. In response to the worsening conditions, the Sindh government declared a public holiday in Karachi. This came after days of monsoon rainfall that killed at least 10 people and caused widespread damage.

According to weather officials, more rain is expected in the coming days. Many major roads, including Tower, II Chundrigar Road, the FTC area, the PAF Museum stretch of Sharea Faisal, and Safoora on University Road, were still flooded. Rainwater also covered roads in the city’s Red Zone, including Shaheen Complex, MR Kayani Road near the Arts Council, and Ziauddin Ahmed Road. One side of Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road has been closed since yesterday, and the Drigh Road and Nazimabad underpasses are also shut.

Flooding was also reported near Aiwan-e-Sadr Road by the Governor House, as well as in Kharadar, MA Jinnah Road, Bolton Market, and Jamia Sindh Madrasatul Islam.

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab told that while most main roads had been cleared, drainage work was still ongoing in many areas. He said Karachi received over 235mm of rainfall, far beyond its drainage capacity of just 40mm. So far, 3.024 million cubic feet of waste has been removed from storm drains to help improve drainage.

The mayor admitted that the drainage system is limited and needs to be expanded, but said this would require land that is often blocked by residents, making the work difficult. He said that while traffic is moving, it slows down where water remains on the road edges. He also acknowledged that power outages are still a serious problem in many neighborhoods.