Rains reach Karachi

There were reports of traffic slowing down on major roads and streets flooding with rain water in many areas.

KARACHI: Forecasts claimed that Karachi would be hit by thunderstorms today but many did not expect the claps of thunder that rocked the sky late Saturday afternoon. By 3:30 pm sheets of rain were pouring down on the city and there were reports of heavy rain in many areas since earlier in the day.

There were reports of traffic slowing down on major roads of Karachi and streets flooding with rain water in many areas.

Rains and floods have ravaged provinces across Pakistan in the past month. The country is facing disastrous consequences of the monsoons as floods have wreaked havoc affecting approximately 12 million people in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Authorities have called the flood crisis a disaster much greater in magnitude that the 2005 earthquake.

Sindh has been put on high alert with warnings that flash floods carrying 962,000 cusecs of water are headed towards Sukkur after having passed through the Guddu Barrage. The Met Office has announced that Sindh is expected to receive more rains for the next three days.

The humanitarian crisis caused by the floods across the country has prompted the government to appeal for immediate international help. Many organisations have mobilised activities to help flood victims and have appealed to the public to contribute to flood relief activities.