Four killed as rainwater inundates Karachi roads

KARACHI: Several roads across Karachi submerged into rainwater in the wake of an ongoing rainy spell that lashed the megapolis on Friday and Saturday.

Among these, the University Road was worst affected due to rain. The passage connecting Gulshan Iqbal's Block 13 C to Block 13 D submerged into rain water, while the patch of road sank near Hassan Square.

The situation greatly troubled commuters as vehicles frequently broke down on different thoroughfares.

Citizens should brace themselves for more rain as the Met Department has forecast intermittent showers in the next 24 hours.

According to Met Department, PAF Base Masroor has so far received most rainfall i.e. 52mm, PAF Base Faisal 48mm, Airport and adjoining areas received 29.1, Gulistan e Jauhar 29 mm, followed by North Nazimabad 45 mm and Landhi 15.5 mm.

The rainy spell will continue until Sunday and the city is likely to receive more showers.

Karachi roads, streets remain flooded with rainwater

Areas of old city, civil hospital, Tibet centre, Patelpara were flooded with rainwater. Moreover, the civic authorities failed to drain out water outside Dow University and Urdu University.

CM not satisfied

Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah said the situation in the city following the rain was not satisfactory.

Murad added that he had asked the city’s mayor to join him, adding that Waseem Akhtar was in the field as well.

“We all have the purpose of solving peoples’ problems.”

Extraordinary rain

Mayor Waseem Akhtar said that the rainfall in Karachi was extraordinary, directing officials to use all resources to clear the water which has accumulated on roads.

Akhtar informed the media about areas where water had accumulated in the city. “The aim now is to clear the water and not worry about whose domain this comes under”.

More rainy spells this month

The ongoing rainy spell in Karachi is the first of this winter season, but not the last, officials said Saturday.

"The weather in Karachi will be clear some time on Sunday (tomorrow), but this is not the last rainy spell of the season," said DG Met Muhammad Hanif, adding that there can be further routine showers in the city.

"The Met Office has forecasted another 2-3 rainy spells in Karachi this month," Hanif said.

Four killed 

At least four people were killed in rain-related incidents in the city. One man was electrocuted at Bufferzone on Saturday.

Slippery roads resulted in accidents with two people killed in Nazimabad. Another man was electrocuted in Korangi area, officials and rescue sources said.

Earlier, the flow of traffic was badly affected by a spell of first winter rain in Karachi resumed on Friday evening.

Light and heavy rain again lashed several areas of Karachi, including II Chundrigar Road, Gulistan e Jauhar, Airport, Malir, Sharah e Faisal and Gulshan Iqbal. Long queues of vehicles were seen at Shahrah e Faisal - the busiest thoroughfare of the city - as rainwater accumulated on it. Commuters faced immense difficulty in reaching their destinations.

Meanwhile, many people headed out to eateries to enjoy the weather.

کراچی میں مختلف علاقوں میں بارش کا سلسلہ جاری ہے،،کئی لوگ ہوٹلزپربیٹھ کرناشتہ کررہے ہیں۔۔۔مزید بتارہے ہیں جیونیوز کے نمائندے ریاض اینڈی pic.twitter.com/frC9pnLzUu

— Geo News Urdu (@geonews_urdu) January 14, 2017

Motorcycle riders headed to kiosks selling raincoats.

کراچی میں بارش ہوتے ہی رین کوٹس کی مانگ میں اضافہ ہوگیا ہے۔ شہر میں رین کوٹس کس بھاو مل رہے ہیں بتارہے ہیں نمائندہ جیو نیوز ریاض اینڈی pic.twitter.com/zJ76FwfmzY

— Geo News Urdu (@geonews_urdu) January 14, 2017

 

Power Breakdown

The citizens of Karachi had to put up with the usual power outage as the city received its first winter shower. 

According to a K-Electric spokesperson, as many as 180 tripped feeders were reinstated immediately, whereas at least 20 are still under repair. The spokesman further added that power is suspended in areas of Nazimabad, Banaras and Machar Colony