Deadly downpour leaves at least 17 dead in Karachi
Arrangements made by government unsuccessful, situation not improving.
Rain in Karachi causes flooding. PHOTO: Online.
The two-day death toll in rain-related incidents in Karachi reached at least 17 on Sunday, with several others injured or missing, reported Express News.
The situation in the city took a turn for the worse as sporadic showers continued for the second day.
Arrangements made by the local government proved to be unsuccessful and as a result, Minister of Local Bodies Owais Muzaffar removed Karachi administrator Hashim Raza Zaidi and Director Municipal Services Masood Alam from their posts.
Shouldering the blame
Many areas of the city including Jauhar Chowrangi, Old City area, Nazimabad and Korangi remained flooded with rainwater, with little to no work being done by the administration.
The new administrator Saqib Soomro also deemed himself free of responsibility for this abysmal situation.
Several areas of the city remained without power for more than 24 hours. The Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) blamed Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) for the lack of electricity, and said that they would be able to restore the power supply after streets were clear of water.
Casualties
A house collapsed in the Gulistan-e-Johar area, killing a woman and her 12-year-old son.
Two nine-year-old boys were killed in Pir Abad and Gulzar Bakhri due to electrocution. Three children drowned in a river in the Kachi Kuwari are of Karachi.
Five more people died as a result of electrocution and houses collapsing in other areas. 50 others were injured in traffic accidents.
Army and Rangers conducted rescue operations in some areas, bringing some people to safety.
The situation in the city took a turn for the worse as sporadic showers continued for the second day.
Arrangements made by the local government proved to be unsuccessful and as a result, Minister of Local Bodies Owais Muzaffar removed Karachi administrator Hashim Raza Zaidi and Director Municipal Services Masood Alam from their posts.
Shouldering the blame
Many areas of the city including Jauhar Chowrangi, Old City area, Nazimabad and Korangi remained flooded with rainwater, with little to no work being done by the administration.
The new administrator Saqib Soomro also deemed himself free of responsibility for this abysmal situation.
Several areas of the city remained without power for more than 24 hours. The Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) blamed Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) for the lack of electricity, and said that they would be able to restore the power supply after streets were clear of water.
Casualties
A house collapsed in the Gulistan-e-Johar area, killing a woman and her 12-year-old son.
Two nine-year-old boys were killed in Pir Abad and Gulzar Bakhri due to electrocution. Three children drowned in a river in the Kachi Kuwari are of Karachi.
Five more people died as a result of electrocution and houses collapsing in other areas. 50 others were injured in traffic accidents.
Army and Rangers conducted rescue operations in some areas, bringing some people to safety.