KARACHI: At least eight people lost their lives in various rain-related incidents on Tuesday as heavy downpours battered Karachi, leaving large parts of the city submerged and disrupting daily life. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) recorded intermittent yet intense rainfall across the city since early morning, triggering urban flooding, massive traffic jams, and power outages in several areas.
According to reports, four people died in Gulistan-e-Jauhar Block 12 after a boundary wall collapsed during the rain. Two more citizens were electrocuted in separate incidents in North Karachi and Defence, while another young man lost his life to electrocution in Orangi Town. In addition, a fire broke out at a petrol pump in Malir, claiming one life during the downpour.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, citing safety concerns and forecasts of further torrential rains, declared Wednesday a public holiday in Karachi. He announced that all public and private schools would remain closed, while citizens were advised to stay indoors as precautionary measures against heavy downpours. The CM said the step was necessary to avoid difficulties for the public and to ensure safety amid worsening conditions.
Heavy showers inundated major roads, with several localities experiencing severe waterlogging that paralyzed civic life. Areas hit hardest include Tariq Road, Azizabad, Shahrah-e-Quaideen, Boat Basin, Liaquatabad, Hassan Square, North Nazimabad, SITE, Clifton, Defence, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Airport surroundings, Quaidabad, Malir, Landhi, Korangi, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Federal B Area, Surjani Town, and Scheme 33. Eyewitnesses reported overflowing drains, submerged vehicles, and stranded commuters as rainwater entered residential neighborhoods and commercial areas.
The PMD also issued warnings of further heavy rainfall in Karachi and other parts of Sindh over the next 24 hours, raising fears of more urban flooding in low-lying areas. Elsewhere, torrential rains are forecast for Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, and Galiyat, while Quetta, Zhob, Kalat, Lahore, Attock, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Nowshera, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mithi, and Thatta remain under flood watch.
The temperature recorded on Tuesday morning stood at 24°C in Islamabad and Muzaffarabad, 28°C in Lahore, 31°C in Karachi, 26°C in Peshawar, 23°C in Quetta, 18°C in Gilgit, and 16°C in Murree.
