KARACHI, Pakistan: Heavy rainfall battered Pakistan’s largest city on Tuesday morning, disrupting daily life and prompting authorities to declare a rain emergency as monsoon showers intensified across the country.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), light showers that began in Karachi late Monday night turned into heavy downpours by early Tuesday.
Localities across the port city, including Tariq Road, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Clifton, Defence, North Nazimabad, Liaquatabad, Korangi, Malir and Landhi, received heavy rain, while thunderstorms were recorded in parts of North Nazimabad and adjoining areas.
The weather department warned of further heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours in Sindh and northern areas of the country, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree and Galiyat.
The Met Office also cautioned that urban flooding could occur in low-lying parts of Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar and several towns in Sindh and Balochistan.
Rain emergency
On the directives of Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) imposed a rain emergency across the city.
The mayor cancelled staff leave and directed all municipal personnel to remain in the field to ensure drainage.
“I, along with the entire team, am present on the roads to monitor the situation and ensure better arrangements for citizens,” Wahab said in a statement, warning that strict action would be taken against negligence.
Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah separately ordered the district administration, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the health department and Rescue 1122 to remain on high alert.
“All Deputy Commissioners should be present in the field with their staff,” he instructed.
Response measures
The Met Office said that Saadi Town recorded the heaviest rainfall in Karachi at 35.8mm by 8am, followed by Gulshan-i-Maymar with 33.3mm, and Nazimabad with 26mm.
Other areas, including Gulshan-i-Hadeed, Surjani Town, Korangi and Defence, reported lighter showers.
Karachi police also heightened emergency measures. According to East Zone Deputy Inspector General Dr Farrukh Ali, all Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs) and Station House Officers (SHOs) were instructed to stay in their areas, ensure drainage, maintain traffic flow and respond to emergencies.
“The protection of life and property of citizens must be ensured at all costs,” the DIG’s office said, advising residents to avoid unnecessary travel and to contact helplines in case of emergencies.
Traffic police said water had accumulated inside the Nazimabad underpass, forcing diversions to Hakim Ibne Sina Road.
“Traffic police are present and managing flow. There is no traffic problem,” spokesperson Saeed Arain said.
Monsoon across Pakistan
The Met Office noted that the current weather system is linked to a depression near India’s Odisha state, expected to move towards Gujarat within 36 hours.
With strong monsoon currents entering Sindh, heavy rainfall is forecast in Hyderabad, Jacobabad, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, Thatta, Tharparkar and other districts over the coming days.
In northern Pakistan, torrential rains are expected in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Galiyat, with warnings of flash flooding and landslides in mountainous terrain.
Monsoon rains, which run from June to September, are vital for replenishing water supplies across South Asia but frequently trigger urban flooding, landslides and displacement in densely populated areas.
