At least 8 killed as Karachi receives first monsoon spell

Two children drown in rainwater accumulated near under-construction underpass in Clifton

KARACHI: At least eight people have been killed and several others injured in various rain-related incidents as Karachi received its first monsoon spell.

Six people were electrocuted in Orangi Town, Shah Faisal Colony, Hussainabad, Liaquatabad and Sharae Noor Jahan neighbourhoods. Two children also drowned while bathing in rainwater accumulated near an underpass which is being constructed at the Submarine Chowrangi of the metropolis.



Heavy monsoon rain that started on Wednesday in Karachi, died down during the day on Thursday but lashed heavily again in the evening. The major rainwater drains – including Gujjar Nullah, Mehmoodabad Nullah, Shadman 14/A Nullah, Golden Town Nullah, Korangi Nullah and Manzoor Colony Nullah – overflowed swamping low-lying areas.

The Katchi Abadis, or slums, were the worst hit where houses were flooded with knee-deeps rainwater. The Meteorological Department has forecasted more showers until Friday evening.

The monsoon season started in the country on June 26. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had directed National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and all provincial governments to take immediate precautionary measures in view of the rains.

However, recent rain in Karachi has opened Pandora’s Box for the megacity, flooding streets and roads with dirty muddy water, causing traffic logjams and plunging most of the city into darkness.