KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday offered “every possible support” to the government of Sindh, as relentless rain battered the provincial capital, Karachi, on Monday, submerging several areas of the Pakistani financial hub under water and leaving large parts without power on the second day of Eid Al-Adha.
Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported two people killed in Karachi. Intense floods have killed dozens and left hundreds homeless across Pakistan since monsoon downpours began in mid-June, with the death toll from rain-related incidents rising to 146 by Monday morning.
Rains over the Eid holiday brought to the fore memories of August 2020, when record-breaking heavy rain in Karachi killed over 100 people and disrupted the lives of many of the city’s more than 15 million residents as water flooded main roads and homes.
The city received its largest-ever-recorded rainfall total in a single day on August 24, when 230 mm (9 inches) of rainfall in just 12 hours, according to the Pakistan Meteorology Department. Over the month, Karachi received 484 mm (19 inches) of rain, the highest total in at least 90 years.
“Deeply saddened by the tragic losses due to torrential rains in Karachi. I am confident that Sindh govt will rise to the occasion & bring life back to normal under the able leadership of CM Sindh. Have offered to extend every possible support,” Sharif tweeted.
A statement from the PM House said Sharif had directed provincial governments and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to ensure protection of people and prevention of losses.
“The federal government should provide full support to the provincial governments and institutions,” PM said. “People in endangered areas should be shifted to safer places. Provision of temporary shelter and food to the affected people should be ensured. Medical teams to be mobilized for emergency medical aid and prevention of epidemic diseases.”
Meanwhile, Karachi Commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Memon urged Karachi residents not to leave their homes unnecessarily and stay away from electricity poles and drains and manholes. He also shared emergency contact details.
Citizens complained of prolonged power outages and about roads turning into rivers and water entering homes, as #KarachiRain trended on Twitter.
According to data released by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), PAF Masroor Base received the highest amount of rainfall (119.5mm) in the past 24 hours, followed by DHA Phase 2 (106.6mm), Quaidabad (76mm), PAF Faisal Base (65mm), Orangi Town (56.2mm), old airport area (49.8mm), Gulshan-i-Hadeed (46.5mm), Nazimabad (31.8mm), Jinnah Terminal (29.6mm), University Road (14.8mm), Surjani Town (14.4mm), Gadap Town (9.2mm), North Karachi (2.3mm) and Saadi Town (1.1mm).
The Met department predicted ongoing heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in Karachi, Thatta, Badin and Hyderabad. Chief meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz said the new weather system headed toward the city would last until July 18-19.
He said intermittent rain with thunder was also expected in Mirpurkhas, Umerkot and Tando Mohammad Khan and warned of a risk of flooding in low-lying areas in Karachi, Badin, Thatta, Mirpurkhas and Umerkot.
In an update shared on Twitter around 2:30am, a spokesperson for K-Electric said the power supply system within its territory was stable.
“Most areas of the city continue to receive power from more than 1,770 feeders out of 1,900,” the Twitter post said, adding that around 130 feeders were closed as a precautionary measure due to reports of power theft or the accumulation of rain water.