Karachi Traffic Disrupted as Major Underpasses and Korangi Causeway Remain Closed After Heavy Rainfall

Five key underpasses in Karachi remained inaccessible on Thursday as waterlogging continued to hinder traffic movement across the city. According to traffic police, the affected underpasses include Sohrab Goth, Shaheed-e-Millat, Tariq Road, Drigh Road, and both Nazimabad No. 1 and No. 2 underpasses.

While authorities confirmed that water has been cleared from several important routes—such as Joher Mor, Millennium Mall, COD Road, Nipa Bridge to Gulshan Chowrangi, Gulshan Moti Mahal, UBL Complex, and Sports Complex Road—other areas including Hussainabad, Karimabad, Water Pump, and the route to Edhi Morgue have also been reopened. However, rainwater remains under the Sohrab Goth Bridge and near Shafiq Mor.

In a separate incident, rescue officials recovered a body from a stream near Al-Asif Square in Sohrab Goth.

The Korangi Causeway also remained closed for all traffic as the Malir River overflowed. Both tracks connecting Korangi Crossing with Qayyumabad were shut, with authorities urging motorists to use alternative routes until the situation improves.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, addressing reporters, stressed that “rainwater cannot be cleared by pressing a button,” pointing out that despite repeated warnings, citizens still ventured onto roads, causing massive traffic jams on Shahrah-e-Faisal. He noted that during three hours of record rainfall, water near Nursery rose to the rooftops of shops.

Murad emphasized that the administration acted swiftly, saying, “If the government had not been active, how would water have been drained in just five hours?” He added that the commissioner, mayor, police, rescue teams, ministers, and municipal staff remained on the ground to manage the emergency response.