At least four people lost their lives and three others sustained injuries in separate incidents caused by strong winds and heavy rains, and related accidents across Karachi on Thursday.
The metropolis faced severe road congestion as heavy rainfall led to widespread water accumulation across various parts of the port city, and commuters struggled to navigate flooded streets, with traffic moving slowly in different areas.
The downpour affected multiple parts of the city, including Orangi Town, North Nazimabad, Old City, II Chundrigarh Road, Sharea Faisal, and Saddar, prompting authorities to remain on high alert. North Karachi and Power House Chowrangi also experienced heavy showers accompanied by strong winds.
Several spots on Sharea Faisal and Kashmir Road faced traffic disruptions due to waterlogging.
The heavy downpour and strong winds caused human losses in the metropolis, as in Old Golimar, a rickshaw driver was killed when a house wall collapsed onto his vehicle, rescue officials said.
In Orangi Town, three children were injured after a wall of a house fell at a gathering, they added. In New Karachi’s Hassan Brohi Goth, one man lost his life after suffering an electric shock inside his home.
Another man was electrocuted near Quetta Hotel in PIB Colony. Separately, a young girl died after being electrocuted at a house near Sector 7-A in Surjani, the rescue officials confirmed.
Control rooms activated
Authorities have activated control rooms and taken measures to manage the situation, a city spokesperson said. The Commissioner of Karachi has alerted all Deputy Commissioners to respond promptly to any emergencies. Citizens can contact the rescue helpline 1299 for complaints or assistance, the Commissioner added.
According to the Met Office, the minimum temperature recorded in the city was 23.5 degrees Celsius, while the maximum is expected to reach 27°C. Humidity levels were recorded at 83%, contributing to the prevailing weather conditions.
Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon, in his statement, said that additional de-watering pumps have been installed to ensure the timely drainage of rainwater from low-lying areas, while potential congestion points across the city had already been identified.
According to Memon, staff have been deployed to monitor these congestion points, and further de-watering pumps have been provided to prevent any obstruction in water drainage.
The provincial minister urged residents to take precautionary measures, avoid unnecessary travel, and immediately contact the relevant authorities in case of any emergency.
He added that the protection of citizens is the government’s foremost responsibility, and all available resources are being mobilised to manage any adverse situation effectively.
April pattern
The Meteorological Department registered 20.5 millimetres of rainfall on the M-9 Motorway. Other areas recorded rainfall as follows: Surjani Town 12.6mm, Gulshan-e-Maymar 7.2mm, Jinnah Terminal 6.2mm, Kemari 6mm, and Defence 5mm.
According to the Meteorological Department, the highest April rainfall in Karachi was recorded in 1985. On 2 April 1985, the city received 37 millimetres of rain, Meteorological Department spokesperson Anjum Nazir said.
He noted that over the past six to seven years, the country’s weather patterns have been changing. Last year, Karachi did not record any rainfall in April.
Nazir added that, traditionally, western wind systems mostly affected the country’s northern regions. However, certain climatic parameters are now creating conditions favourable for rainfall under the influence of these western systems.
KE advises precautions
In view of rainfall across the city and surrounding areas, K-Electric urged residents to take precautionary measures. A company spokesperson said the situation is being continuously monitored, and field staff have been placed on alert.
The spokesperson appealed to residents to exercise caution when using electrical appliances during heavy winds and rain. Unsafe use of electrical devices, such as water pumps in standing water, could lead to accidents.
He further advised maintaining a safe distance from power transmission installations, including damaged TV and internet cables and other broken wires. Obtaining electricity through illegal means or tampering with sockets can also result in fatal incidents.
According to K-Electric, in case of any electricity-related emergency, residents can contact the 118 call centre. Additional support is available through the K-Electric Live app, WhatsApp service, and other social media platforms.
The spokesperson added that, on safety grounds, power supply may be temporarily suspended in certain areas. However, electricity is restored once the rain subsides and field teams provide clearance.
Govt approves plan to modernise emergency services
Under the chairmanship of Sindh Chief Minister Muard Ali Shah, a meeting was held at the Chief Minister’s House to make the province’s emergency system more modern and effective.
The meeting decided to further integrate and streamline emergency services across Sindh, directing all relevant departments to operate under a single autonomous authority. The CM approved a major project worth Rs30.8 billion aimed at improving emergency services. The project includes the integration of Rescue 1122, procurement of modern firefighting equipment, and the establishment of new fire stations.
Officials stated that under the project, 100 fire trucks, snorkels, aerial ladders, drones, firebikes, and all-terrain vehicles will also be acquired. A briefing during the meeting revealed that fire safety audits of 3,340 buildings across the province had been conducted by 122 teams, with compliance now reaching 43%. The proportion of high-risk buildings has decreased from 33% to 22%, while over 3,000 violation notices have been issued and several dangerous buildings sealed.
The meeting also recommended that the PMDC and Rescue 1122 serve as the operational arms of the new authority, while Civil Defence, emergency health, and compensation systems be brought onto a unified platform.
The CM approved these recommendations, emphasising that protecting lives and property is the government’s foremost responsibility and that no shortcomings will be tolerated in the emergency response system. He added that establishing a modern emergency system will significantly enhance citizen safety, institutional coordination, and response times.
