New western weather system enters from Balochistan

Heavy rains paralyses city, infrastructure failures reported

KARACHI:

Heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds wreaked havoc across Karachi, disrupting the city's systems and turning ongoing development projects into a major hazard for residents. Numerous citizens fell into potholes, while motorcycles and cars were damaged. The Red Line and Karimabad underpass became symbols of fear as millions of commuters were stranded in severe traffic jams for hours. Streets and residential neighbourhoods were inundated with rainwater, while drainage arrangements remained largely ineffective.

Overflowing sewers and drains compounded the problems in several areas. Despite Mayor Karachi visiting multiple locations, the administrative machinery of the city's municipal bodies remained largely absent.

Rainwater accumulated at the same spots as in previous spells, but this time ongoing development projects worsened the situation.

Videos circulated on social media showing a motorcyclist trapped in a pothole, searching for his bike, while a car nearby had also fallen into a pothole. Citizens warned others on social media to avoid traveling from Hussainabad to Karimabad. The Karimabad underpass, already delayed for three years, deteriorated further after the rains.

Similarly, construction work along University Road's Red Line caused major disruption. Travel from Jail Chaurangi to Hasan Square and from Hasan Square to Nipa Chawrangi became a nightmare for commuters.

A powerful new western weather system entering Pakistan from Balochistan brought widespread rainfall to Karachi on Thursday. Light to heavy spells of rain persisted in some areas for over an hour, and in certain localities, torrential rainfall caused urban flooding. Thick clouds darkened the city even in the afternoon, while hail was reported in areas including Mauripur and Clifton. The Meteorological Department has forecasted partly to fully cloudy skies with light to moderate rain for Friday.

The system, which entered from southwest Balochistan, began affecting Karachi on Wednesday night and continued through Thursday afternoon.

Strong winds were also recorded during the rain, reaching a maximum speed of 38 km/h. According to the Meteorological Department, Nazimabad recorded 6.69mm rainfall; Keamari: 5.6mm; Saadi Town: 4.8mm; Gulistan-e-Johar: 4.42mm; Motorway M-9: 4.35mm; Orangi Town: 3.94mm; Gulshan-e-Maymar: 3.6mm; Surjani Town: 3.5mm; DHA: 3.3mm; Old Airport: 3.26mm; Sharea Faisal: 3.04mm; Mauripur: 2.9mm; North Karachi: 2.88mm; Korangi: 1.82mm; and Gulshan-e-Hadeed received 1.7mm rainfall.

After the rain, rainbows were visible in several areas.

The Meteorological Department's Early Warning Center has predicted the new weather system may continue to affect Karachi and several rural districts of Sindh until April 4. Authorities have advised residents to take precautions and avoid non-essential travel.

Meanwhile, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has claimed that the corporation successfully managed the effects of heavy and intermittent rainfall across the city, ensuring timely water drainage and minimal disruption to daily life.