Torrential rains wreak havoc in Karachi

KARACHI:

Torrential rains continued for a second day on Monday in Karachi leaving at least five people dead in various incidents of electrocution during the past 24 hours, according to police sources.

The electrocution incidents reportedly took place in the areas of Tesar Town, Lyari, Liaquatabad and SITE.

Acting Governor Sindh Agha Siraj Durrani, while expressing regret over the loss of precious human lives during the rains, urged people to stay at home.

Meanwhile, due to heavy rainfall, most of the city areas remained submerged in water, with all major highways flooded, causing serious difficulties to the city’s inhabitants and paralysing normal life.

People wade across a flooded street in Karachi. PHOTO: AFP

The Sindh government has declared a public holiday in Karachi and Hyderabad division due to rain, and government and private offices are closed.

Read Monsoon swamps metropolis

Saddar reported the highest rainfall in the city with 217 millimeters of rain. Furthermore, residents living near suburban areas including Malir River were forced to relocate after several feet of water flooded the streets. All the while, the poor drainage system of the port city continued to add to its problems.

The rains are expected to continue till July 26, with the new monsoon spell in various districts of rural Sindh that may be expected by July 27.

A man pushes his motorbike through a flooded street after heavy monsoon rain in Karachi. PHOTO: AFP

The abysmal situation is merely a continuation of the city’s woes in the monsoon season. Earlier this month, heavy rainfall had wreaked havoc in Karachi claiming lives and damaging property as the water remained accumulated in residential areas, exposing the provincial government's inadequate efforts to clear them.

The heavy downpour also disrupted flights and train operations in the megacity of 15 million.

Pakistan ranks eighth on a list of countries most vulnerable to extreme weather caused by climate change, according to the environment NGO Germwatch.

The National Disaster Management Authority said at least 312 people had died since June as a result of the monsoon rains.

With additional input from AFP