Karachi: Eight dead in rain-related incidents, public holiday announced

KARACHI: At least eight people have lost their lives in various rain-related incidents as heavy downpours continued to lash the city since Tuesday morning, disrupting daily life and crippling civic infrastructure.

The intermittent heavy rain caused urban flooding in several areas, leaving roads submerged and the city’s routine activities paralyzed.

According to reports, four people were killed in Gulistan-e-Jauhar Block 12 when a wall collapsed. Two others died from electrocution in North Karachi and Defence, while another young man lost his life to electrocution in Orangi Town.

Additionally, one person was killed after a fire broke out at a petrol pump in Malir during the rain.

Sindh CM Announces Public Holiday on Wednesday

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has declared a public holiday in Karachi for Wednesday in view of the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD) forecast of more heavy downpours in the city.

According to the CM’s statement, the decision has been taken to ensure the safety of citizens, urging people to remain indoors as more torrential rains are expected. He said the step was necessary to prevent difficulties for the public as the city braces for another spell of intense showers.

Amid the worsening urban flooding situation, the Sindh government has announced that all public and private schools will remain closed tomorrow (Wednesday).

Heavy rainfall lashed parts of Karachi on Tuesday morning, bringing the much-needed relief to the humid weather-hit people of the port city.

According to details, light showers that started in different areas of Karachi last night turned into heavy rainfall by early morning.

Areas currently experiencing torrential rain include Tariq Road, Azizabad, Shahrah-e-Quaideen, Boat Basin, Liaquatabad, Hassan Square, North Nazimabad, SITE Area, Clifton, Defence, Qayyumabad, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Airport, Quaidabad, Malir, Landhi, and Korangi.

Other parts of the city, including Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Federal B Area, Scheme 33, Safora Chowrangi, Malir Cantt and its surroundings, North Karachi, Manghopir, Surjani Town, and Taiser Town, also witnessed heavy rainfall, while North Nazimabad and adjoining areas reported thunderstorms accompanied by intense showers.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast further heavy rains in the country’s northern regions today.

Torrential downpours are expected over the next 24 hours in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, and Galiyat. The Met Office also warned of possible urban flooding in low-lying areas of Quetta, Zhob, Kalat, Lahore, Attock, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Nowshera, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mithi, and Thatta due to heavy rainfall.

Read more: Schools closed again amid heavy rainfall, flash floods

Temperature of major cities recorded this morning:

Islamabad and Muzafarabad twenty-four degree centigrade, Lahore twenty-eight, Karachi thirty-one, Peshawar twenty-six, Quetta twenty-three, Gilgit eighteen and Murree sixteen degree centigrade.

According to the weather forecast for Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, cloudy weather with chances of rain and wind with thundershowers is expected in Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian and Baramula.

Temperature recorded this morning:

Srinagar, Pulwama, Anantnag and Baramula eighteen degree centigrade, Jammu twenty-five, Leh ten and Shopian nineteen degree centigrade.