Karachi witnessed severe heavy rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday night, accompanied by strong winds, resulting in the death of 18 people and several injuries.
Showers were reported in multiple localities, including Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulzar-e-Hijri, North Karachi, Surjani Town, and North Nazimabad. Rain also affected Saddar, Tower, Sharea Faisal, II Chundrigar Road, Federal B Area, Hassan Square, Manghopir, SITE Area, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, Defence, and Clifton, with heavy downpours recorded at Karachi Airport, Model Town, and various areas of Malir.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported strong winds accompanying the rainfall, with speeds reaching 90 km/h on Sharea Faisal and 97 km/h in Mauripur. In Baldia Town, eight people died due to a wall collapse, while three others were injured in Majid Colony, Quaidabad, when another wall gave way.
Korangi recorded the highest rainfall at 55.6 millimetres, followed by Mauripur with 22 mm and DHA Phase-II with 15 mm. Other areas received lighter rainfall, including Gulistan-e-Jauhar (13 mm), Kemari (12 mm), Airport Old Area (9 mm), Sharea Faisal (9 mm), Saddar Town (9 mm), and Jinnah Terminal (8 mm).
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab urged citizens to avoid unnecessary movement, stating, “Would request people to avoid unnecessary movement until the situation settles. Will keep everyone posted.” He later added, “Several trees had fallen due to heavy gusts of wind” and warned people to avoid Club Road near Karachi Gymkhana.
The PMD has forecast continued rainfall and thunderstorms with strong winds, along with isolated hailstorms, for Karachi and other parts of Sindh through Thursday as a westerly wave moves into western regions of the country.
Under this weather system, rain and thunderstorms with strong winds, occasional moderate to heavy showers, and isolated hail are expected in Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Matiari, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Nosheroferoz, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu districts, and across the Karachi division.
Rain and thunderstorms with strong winds are also likely in Larkana, Qambar Shahdadkot, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Ghotki, and Sukkur districts, with occasional breaks. “Lightning strikes may occur at isolated places during the forecast period,” the PMD warned, advising farmers to manage their crops “according to the prevailing weather conditions.”
