Karachi plunges into chaos a day after record-breaking rain

At least 23 people die in rain-related incidents; many areas facing power cuts, cellphone outages

Karachi was plunged into chaos on Friday with power cuts, streets under water and cellphone outages caused by heavy rain as authorities said at least 23 people had been killed in downpours the previous day.

Record torrential rainfall flooded major city streets and damaged homes and other buildings on Thursday, with more rain expected on Friday.

“At least 23 people, including women and children, died in different accidents like wall and roof collapses and drownings,” Karachi’s police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon said.

The Sindh government declared a public holiday to avoid residents having to commute on Friday with II Chundrigar Road, home to the central bank, stock exchange and head offices of several banks, flooded.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordered schools be used to accommodate displaced families, whose homes had been damaged or were unreachable.

Among the victims, nine people, including four children, were killed when a wall collapsed on them after being struck by lightning in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. A 56-year-old disabled woman drowned at home, according to a hospital official.

Cellphone services were disrupted and much of the city was plunged in darkness overnight with the main power utility company K-Electric saying the “unprecedented situation” was hampering efforts to restore electricity.

Several areas remain inaccessible due to high water levels. KE teams are working around the clock to restore power as swiftly as possible. Several KE vehicles became stranded when attempting to reach affected ares such as DHA & Surjani. #KarachiRains #SafetyShutdown (1/2)

— KE (@KElectricPk) August 28, 2020

Oil refinery Pakistan Refinery Ltd said in a notice to the stock exchange that it was suspending operations due to hazards created by floods.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department recorded 230.5mm of rain in Karachi on Thursday, the highest ever recorded in a single day. Rainfall in August is the highest since records began 89 years ago.

Addressing a press conference CM Murad said Prime Minister Imran Khan had assured the Sindh government of extending all-out assistance and cooperation to compensate the losses and carry out relief work in the affected areas.

Flanked by provincial ministers, Murad admitted that the residents had faced huge losses due to record-breaking rain, saying that the provincial government is making efforts to drain the rain water from submerged areas and many areas have been cleared out from the rain water.

Relief and rescue operations

Pakistan Army relief and rescue efforts continue to help flood victims as all areas of Karachi severely affected due to heavy rains disrupting civic life.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 32 medical camps have been established with civil administration in various areas including three army mobile hospital in Karachi’s Sarjani Town, Qayyumabad and Saadi Town.

56 relief camps have been established in coordination with civil administration to help stranded people. Dewatering carried out at nine locations .

Pakistan Army troops are busy in shifting people to safer places and affected people stranded in various areas are being provided with food.

The military’s media wing said 50 bedded-hospital has been set-up in Surjani area whereas scores of medical camps have been established in Lyari, Garden, Clifton, Kemari, Saddar, Gulberg, Kachi Abadi, Liaqatabad, District Malir, Dist Korangi and district East ( Gulzar-e-Hijri).

Hyderabad

Meanwhile, relief operation in Latifabad area in process and rain water is being cleared with dewatering pumps. Cooked meal being provided to the affected population, ISPR said.

Dadu

Army troops evacuated more than 350 people to safer places struck in flood hit areas. Cooked meal provided to people affected due to rains.

Badin

Pakistan Navy established medical camp in the five villages where were flooded due to rain water to provide necessary medical care.