Seven killed as heavy rain paralyses Karachi

At least seven people were killed in Karachi on Tuesday after heavy monsoon rains battered the city, flooding neighbourhoods, paralysing traffic and knocking out power, prompting the mayor to enforce a rain emergency.

Dark clouds covered the city by afternoon, followed by heavy showers with strong winds in areas including Surjani Town, Federal B Area, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Qayyumabad, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Malir, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Nazimabad, and New Karachi.

Rainwater quickly inundated major roads and residential streets, with severe flooding reported in Gulshan-e-Hadeed, where water entered homes and forced residents to shift valuables to higher ground. Key intersections such as Hasan Square, Nipa Chowrangi, Jail Chowrangi, Liaquatabad, Korangi, Karsaz and the Expressway also witnessed heavy waterlogging, bringing traffic to a near standstill.

Mayor declares rain emergency after seven killed in downpour

On the directives of Mayor Murtaza Wahab, a rain emergency has been enforced across Karachi, with all teams placed on high alert to respond to urban flooding, traffic disruptions, and other rain-related incidents.

Rescue officials said seven people lost their lives in rain-related accidents. According to Chhipa, a wall collapse near Aqsa Mosque in Orangi Town’s Sector 11.5 killed an eight-year-old boy identified as Abdullah, son of Abbas. His body was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

In Gulistan-e-Jauhar’s Block 12, four members of a family were killed and a child injured when a house wall gave way. The victims included Maryam, 4; Hamza, 3; and Samiya, 24, wife of Mubeen. Another man, around 28, also died, while a 10-year-old boy sustained injuries.

Separately, a health department employee, Muhammad Faizan, was injured when a parking shed collapsed at the Sindh Secretariat after a tree fell during the storm. Police said several people were trapped but escaped unhurt. Faizan sustained a head injury and was treated in hospital.Municipal officials warned that further downpours could aggravate flooding in low-lying areas as the city struggled with drainage and power breakdowns.

According to data from the Meteorological Department, Gulshan-e-Hadeed received the heaviest rainfall at 145mm, followed by the old area of Karachi Airport with 138mm, Keamari 137mm, Jinnah Terminal 135mm, University Road 132mm, and DHA Phase VII 121mm. PAF Faisal Base (Shahrah-e-Faisal) recorded 114mm.

Other parts of the city also witnessed significant downpours, including Surjani Town (111mm) and North Karachi (108mm). Korangi saw nearly 97mm, while Nazimabad logged 92mm.

Areas such as Orangi Town (66mm), Gulshan-e-Maymar (75mm), and PAF Masroor Base (75mm) also experienced heavy showers.

CM Sindh Puts Departments on High Alert

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed all concerned departments to remain on high alert during the ongoing monsoon rains. He instructed rescue services and the administration to stay fully mobilised in view of heavy rainfall.

CM ordered strict monitoring of drains and the drainage system to prevent urban flooding, and directed the Karachi mayor to ensure machinery and staff remain active for the immediate disposal of rainwater.

The chief minister advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy downpours. He also directed district administrations, police, and municipal bodies to maintain coordination.

Traffic police have been ordered to stay alert at low-lying and busy locations and to provide full guidance to the public during rainfall.

He further urged people to stay away from electricity poles and weak infrastructure, and instructed that monitoring systems be strengthened to keep citizens informed about weather conditions.

Sharjeel Memon urges citizens to stay indoors

Sindh’s senior minister Sharjeel Inam Memon appealed to citizens to avoid unnecessary movement outdoors due to heavy monsoon rains across the city.

“The public’s lives and safety are the top priority. Citizens must not step out of their homes unnecessarily,” Memon said in a statement, adding that rainfall was still ongoing in parts of the city. “People should wait for the rain to stop,” he urged.

The minister said the Sindh government’s entire machinery was active in response to the downpour, with drainage work under way across major neighbourhoods. “The provincial government will never abandon the public and every possible facility is being provided,” Memon said.

Memon noted that under the leadership of Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, the district administration, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Water Board and rescue agencies were fully mobilised.

“We are taking measures to drain water through machinery, remove blockages from storm drains and keep emergency routes open,” Memon said.