Karachi continues to grapple with heavy rainfall for the third consecutive day, with several localities experiencing downpours on Thursday evening. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), a rain-bearing weather system persists over the city, contributing to storm activity and intermittent showers. The system has already led to the tragic loss of 17 lives in the past two days due to various weather-related incidents.
On Thursday evening, Karachi faced yet another round of intense rainfall, exacerbating the already difficult situation caused by the ongoing monsoon season. The heavy showers affected various parts of the city, including Dalmia Road, Drigh Road, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulshan-e-Maymar, Gulistan-e-Johar, MA Jinnah Road, Orangi Town, Hawksbay, and Mubarak Village. The weather system over the north Arabian Sea continues to fuel storm activity, with the PMD confirming that intermittent rains would likely continue into the night.
In the last two days, the monsoon rains have claimed the lives of at least 17 people in Karachi, with deaths attributed to drowning, electrocution, and road accidents. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has also warned that this current weather system is expected to weaken by tonight, but another monsoon spell is set to arrive from August 27 to 30. This fresh spell will bring more rains to Karachi and other areas in Sindh, further intensifying the already challenging conditions.
As of now, the monsoon season, which began in late June, has caused over 700 deaths across Pakistan, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The situation remains critical as the city braces for more rain in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah addressed the public’s frustration with the ongoing flooding and road congestion, particularly on busy roads like Sharea Faisal. On a Geo News program, he expressed regret over the difficulty citizens faced during Tuesday’s heavy rainfall, acknowledging that urban flooding was inevitable during such extreme weather. CM Shah explained that disaster management requires patience and cooperation from the public, urging citizens to follow government instructions to help ease the impact of the floods. Despite the challenges, he emphasized that draining the water in five to six hours showed that efforts were being made to manage the disaster effectively.
The Chief Minister also mentioned that while the city’s roads were congested during the rain, better coordination could have alleviated some of the issues. “We should have prevented people from going out on the road during the rain,” he said, reiterating that managing disasters is a long-term process that requires careful planning and cooperation from all parties involved.
