Karachi Paralysed as Heavy Monsoon Rains Trigger Flooding, Evacuations

KARACHI: Persistent monsoon rains from Tuesday into Wednesday battered Karachi, leaving large parts of the city under water, traffic paralysed, and homes flooded.

According to Rescue 1122, more than 350 residents were evacuated from submerged areas in joint operations with the district administration. Pakistan Army teams also helped pull families to safety. Relief centres were set up and water rescue teams deployed in Saadi Town, Essa Nagri, Nasar Basti, and Machhar Colony.

Rescue officials said 15 children, one elderly man, and four women were rescued from Lassi Para near Sohrab Goth, while two people trapped near Lyari River in Gulshan-e-Iqbal were also saved.

Heavy downpour caused severe waterlogging on key roads, disrupted daily routines, and damaged infrastructure. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah visited rain-hit areas including Korangi Causeway, Malir River and Shaheed Bhutto Road. He directed all agencies — KMC, PDMA, Rescue and police — to stay fully mobilised.

Authorities broke part of the motorway median wall near Jamali Bridge to release rising floodwaters. Pumps were deployed across the city to clear stagnant water. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab confirmed four relief centres had been established.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Surjani Town received the highest rainfall at 130mm, followed by North Karachi (72mm), Korangi (71mm), and Defence Phase VII (70mm). Other areas recorded between 30mm and 69mm.

The PMD warned that the monsoon system remains active near Karachi and may bring more rain in the coming hours.

Schools and colleges were closed on Wednesday, while Dow University postponed examinations. Traffic police shut Korangi Causeway and several connecting roads due to high water levels, diverting vehicles to Jam Sadiq Bridge. Waterlogging was reported at Civic Centre, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Expo Centre, Guru Mandir, Liaquatabad, Landhi, and Dawood Chowrangi.

Rescue officials confirmed at least two fatalities: a man electrocuted at a puncture shop in North Nazimabad, and a woman whose body was recovered from Gadap Nadi. Search operations are under way for three missing people.

MQM-Pakistan convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui blamed the Sindh government for negligence and corruption, saying encroachments on storm drains worsened the flooding. He also criticised the collapse of newly built Bhutto Road as a symbol of mismanagement.

Officials said water levels in rivers and drains are now falling. The Malir River level at the M-9 bridge dropped from 12 feet to 8 feet. Authorities remain on high alert as more rain is expected through Wednesday night.