20 killed, 8 injured in rain-related incidents across Karachi: police

KARACHI: Twenty people died and eight were injured as a result of a thunderstorm that swept through Karachi on Wednesday night, the city police said on Thursday. Heavy rain and strong winds lashed the city and caused casualties related to falling debris and wall collapses, as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said a westerly wave was affecting most parts of the country. Additional Inspector General of Police Azad Khan told Dawn that, according to police records, 13 of the deaths occurred during a wall collapse in Saeedabad and two more due to a wall collapse in Quaidabad. Two were also injured in a wall collapse in Keamari. Separately, roof collapses killed one and injured three people in Gulistan-i- Jauhar, as well as causing one death and two injuries in the Mominabad area of Orangi Town. One person also died in a roof collapse in Malir’s Sukhan area, while one person died and one was injured in Clifton after being hit by debris from the storm. Additionally, Khan said that one death was caused by a lightning strike in Shah Latif Town. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, meanwhile, said that 55mm of rainfall had been recorded on Wednesday night, adding that “Karachi remains largely functional”. “Most roads are clear; only under-development areas face minor issues. Where rainwater is present, clear instructions have been issued and water will be removed shortly,” he said.

More rain Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast more rainfall in Karachi and other areas of Sindh on Thursday as a westerly wave continues to affect most parts of the country. In its three-day forecast for the Karachi division, the PMD predicted continued cloudy weather and “chances of wind-thunderstorms or rain with a few moderate to isolated heavy falls” on Thursday. Temperatures will reach highs of 24-26 degrees Celsius and a low of 18.5°C, with humidity reaching 82 per cent in the daytime and falling to between 40 and 50pc in the evening. A northwesterly wind is predicted to turn southwesterly, it added. As of 11am, the highest level of rainfall was recorded in Keamari at 8mm, followed by Surjani Town (4.5mm). Friday is predicted to see a respite from the rainfall with “mostly sunny” weather, raising temperatures to a maximum of 27-29°C as lows remain around 18-20°C. Humidity is forecast to be similar to the previous day, at around 75-85pc in the daytime and 45-55pc in the evening, while the wind will turn from northeasterly to southwesterly. Saturday, which is expected to be the first day of Eid, will once again bring cloudy weather with a chance of isolated thunderstorms or rain on the outskirts of Karachi. Temperatures are forecast to remain similar, with highs of 27-29°C and lows of 19-21°C. High daytime humidity levels of 85-95pc will lower to 50-6opc in the evening, with a west/southwesterly wind becoming southwesterly. On Wednesday, according to measurements taken up to 11pm, Korangi saw the most rainfall, at 55.6mm. This was followed by Nazimabad at 29.6mm and PAF Masroor Base (Mauripur) at 22mm. Sindh CM briefed on rain measures Separately, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah was briefed on Thursday about administrative measures taken following a severe windstorm and heavy rainfall that disrupted life in Karachi, according to a statement by the Chief Minister’s Office. The chief minister received a detailed report on the situation of major roads and highways from Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah. The briefing highlighted efforts by multiple agencies to restore traffic flow and ensure public safety during the emergency. The chief minister said the Sindh government stood with citizens in all circumstances, adding that protecting lives and property remained the top priority, it stated. “He noted that unusual weather conditions led to uprooted trees, damaged infrastructure and caused tilted electric poles, creating hazardous conditions across the city,” it said. Authorities, including the city administration, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), traffic police and K-Electric carried out joint emergency operations throughout the night, the statement said. It added that several areas of Karachi were affected during the rain. According to the statement, on Club Road near the Gymkhana, a boundary wall collapsed and a large tree blocked the road, which was later cleared using heavy machinery. At the Clifton Housing Crossing, a fallen tree blocked both sides of the road, causing suspension of traffic before being removed. “DIG traffic informed that relief operations continued throughout the night and most major roads were restored in the shortest possible time,” the statement said. The chief minister directed all institutions to remain in the field until the completion of relief operations, praising the coordination among departments as commendable,” the statement concluded.