At least 20 killed as rains wreak havoc in Sindh

Most deaths occurred due to electrocution while several areas plunged into darkness

KARACHI: The coastal districts of Sindh received heavy downpour for two consecutive days, disrupting routine life and causing major towns and cities to come to a standstill due to their ill-maintained infrastructure.

At least 20 persons and over a dozen sacrificial animals were reportedly killed due to electrocution and in other rain-related incidents over three days in the metropolis.

The majority of the deaths were reported due to electrocution, despite the fact that several areas of the city faced prolonged power outages.

Despite the emergency imposed by the provincial government and the city administration, most of Karachi's areas were submerged. Low-lying areas in many parts of the metropolis remained inundated with rainwater till Tuesday.

Meanwhile, most districts of Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas divisions were also swamped. Many areas of Hyderabad city, Badin, Thatta, Mirpurkhas and other towns remained under knee-deep water despite continuous efforts to drain the rainwater.



Deaths

At least 20 persons, including a woman, a girl and three friends, died of electrocution and other rain-related incidents on Saturday and Sunday.

Three friends, identified as Hamza, 21, Mohammad Faizan, 20, and Talha, 22, were electrocuted on Khayab-e-Seher on Sunday. Police said that the deceased were travelling on their motorcycle and were headed to the K-Electric's office to lodge a complaint against the power breakdown. All three friends were students and lived in the same building located in Defence Garden Phase 1 near Tooba Masjid, said Darakhshan Police Station SHO Shahjahan Lashari. The FIR of the incident was registered against the power utility's chairman, CEO and other officials.

Meanwhile, a 35-year-old man, Mohammad Umair, resident of Sarafa Bazaar was electrocuted near Kharadar. Police said that Umair's sacrificial cow also died at the same location. A 55-year-old woman, Khuwar Khanum, was reportedly electrocuted in her home located in Shehar Khanabad within the limits of Pirabad police station. SHO Amjad Kalyan said that the deceased was electrocuted when she was draining out rainwater from her home.

Rais Nawab, 25, was electrocuted to death in Mianwali Colony, Manghopir. Another victim, later identified as Rahim Jan, died from electrocution in Memon Goth.

Separately, a seven-year-old girl drowned in a water tank in Naval Police Quarters, Baldia. Danish, 17, fell down from a rooftop and died in Sherpao Colony, Landhi. Another young man, Mohammad Faiz, 18, died in a roof collapse incident in Qasba Colony. Faiz's brother, Mohamamd Jan, 22, was also injured in the incident.

A 30-year-old man, Nasir, died in another incident of roof collapse in Bhutta Village, Keamari. A man identified as Rasheed Khan died in a wall collapse in Pipri. Besides, 18-year-old Abdul Nasir, was electrocuted to death on Tipu Sultan Road on Tuesday. The deceased was employed as a security guard of an apartment building located in the area.



Mosque roof collapse

Two persons were killed and 20 others injured as part of the roof of a mosque fell in Ghareebabad near Sohrab Goth during Eid prayers on Monday. Four of the injured were said to be in critical condition. Rescue teams, police and Rangers personnel reached the spot and shifted the injured and bodies to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

The deceased were identified as Khushhal Jamali, 80, and Ameer Bukhsh, 35. Both were residents of Ghareebabad. Police said that the part of the mosque could not sustain the weight of the assembly and fell.

Heavy rains

The heavy downpour that continued for over 24 hours almost submerged most parts of the city for several hours. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department's (PMD) data, the highest volume of rainfall in the city was recorded at 200 millimetres. The system that entered Sindh from India turned its direction south-west on Sunday evening.

According to the PMD, 200.6mm of rain was recorded in Surjani Town. At least 192mm rain was recorded at Faisal Base, 119mm in North Karachi, 185mm in Gulshan-e-Hadeed, 173mm in Masroor Base, 153.2mm near Jinnah International Airport, 156.4mm in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, 155mm in Nazimabad, 143mm in Landhi, 137mm in Keamari and 125mm in Saddar.

Most parts of the city received moderate rains on the first day of Eidul Azha (Monday).

Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz said that a new system will enter Sindh from Gujarat and Rajasthan [India] this week and will cause moderate rains on August 15 and 16.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2019.