Heavy rains lead to flash floods in Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas

The recent monsoon rains have triggered flash floods in thousands of low-lying areas and villages across several districts in Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad divisions, isolating residents in their homes and disrupting daily life.

In response to the rain, district administrations have closed educational institutions in many areas, including Hyderabad, with schools remaining closed until August 30.

The heaviest rainfall in the past few days has been recorded in Mirpurkhas, followed by Badin, Tharparkar, and Hyderabad.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported 143 millimetres of rain in Mirpurkhas by early Thursday morning, with an additional 107 millimetres recorded by the evening.

Uncovered manholes, roadside drains, and potholes have made streets particularly hazardous for both pedestrians and motorists. The relentless downpour has also severely impacted crops across tens of thousands of acres.

Meanwhile, in Hyderabad, Latifabad taluka experienced 116 millimetres of rain over a 24-hour period starting from 8am Wednesday, whereas by 8 pm Thursday, Qasimabad taluka had received 94 millimetres of precipitation.

In Gulshan-e-Shahbaz Colony, Jamshoro district, a roof collapse resulted in the death of a four-year-old child and injuries to five other family members.

A similar incident in Hyderabad's Old Sabzi Mandi area on Wednesday claimed the life of a child and injured four family members.

In an unusual commendation, Sindh Chief Minister's focal person for Hyderabad, former MPA Abdul Jabbar Khan, praised Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) for maintaining largely uninterrupted power supply during the rains. At a press conference on Thursday, Khan, accompanied by Mayor Kashif Ali Shoro and Deputy Commissioner Zainul Abedin Memon, noted that HESCO's efforts enabled drainage pumping stations to operate continuously.

Despite these assurances, major roads in Hyderabad, such as Thandi Sarak, remain submerged. Khan reported that rain-related incidents have resulted in one child's death and five injuries from roof collapses.

Mayor Shoro acknowledged the city's infrastructure shortcomings and revealed that 118 pumping machines from the Hyderabad Water and Sewerage Board and 18 from Public Health Engineering are working around the clock.

Residents of Mirpurkhas have complained about severe flooding due to an ineffective drainage system and a two-day power outage. Local markets and educational institutions have been significantly affected.

HESCO stated that out of 629 11kV electric feeders across its 12 districts, only 52 were shut down on Thursday due to tripping, including 23 in Hyderabad.