At least three dead, several areas experience power outages as rain lashes Karachi

KARACHI: At least three people died and more than 550 K-Electric (KE) feeders tripped on Sunday as a third spell of rain lashed the city.

According to police, the deaths all occurred due to electrocution in separate incidents across the city. Among the victims was a 10-year-old child, a resident of Gulshan-e-Hadeed Phase 2, a 22-year-old living from Landhi's Qazzafi Town, and another person from Garden area's Fawwara Chowk neighbourhood, rescue officials said.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had last week forecast a third spell of monsoon in Karachi with heavy rain and thunderstorm in the port city between July 26 and July 27.

Malir, Shah Faisal Colony, Gulistan-e-Johar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, FB Area, Liaquatabad, PIB Colony, Gulshan-e-Maymar, Korangi, and Old City Area were all reported to be without power as the rain started early afternoon.

The K-Electric said it would restore power as soon as it was safe to do so. A spokesperson for the power supplier said electricity supply of low-lying areas and those with kundas had been suspended.

“We urge government departments to work as quickly as possible to drain the water out of these areas,” a K-Electric spokesperson said.

Highest rainfall recorded at 60mm

According to data provided by the PMD, the highest rainfall was recorded in Gulistan-e-Johar, at 60 millimetres (mm), while 55mm was registered at Old Airport, 55mm in Pehlwan Goth, 42mm in Malir.

In Saddar, rainfall was recorded at 43mm, while 26 mm was registered at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Faisal Base, 22mm in Nazimabad, 12mm at PAF Masroor Base, 8.8mm at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport, 3.1mm in Landhi, and 1.2mm in Surjani Town.

The PMD said the city can expect the fresh spell of rain to continue well into the evening.

“We can expect another spell of rain at night,” the department added, noting that the metropolis could face urban flooding.

'Power supply restored swiftly,' says K-Electric

In a statement issued Sunday evening following the heavy rain that lashed Karachi, the K-Electric said it had "temporarily suspended" the power supply to low-lying areas, including Orangi Town, Korangi, Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Baldia Town, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, and Bin Qasim, "on account of torrential rains followed by urban flooding".

Noting that its "teams remained engaged", a spokesperson said they "remained fully alert following prediction of rain and responded swiftly to restore electricity to affected areas".

"While waterlogging in low-lying and different other areas caused difficulty in restoration work, power supply to strategic installations including key hospitals, KWSB pumping stations, and the airport was ensured and teams responded swiftly in case of any interruptions.

"The power utility regrets inconvenience caused to customers due to inclement weather," the spokesperson added, with a warning to to stay away from broken wires, utility poles, and transformers.

"KE teams continue to monitor the situation and teams remain alert in view of the prediction of more rain over the next two days," the spokesperson said further.

Thado Dam fills up

With the heavy rainfall, water began to accumulate in the Thado Dam located on the Malir river. So far, it is estimated that more than 20 feet of water has accumulated.

Water from the surrounding areas continued to pour into the dam till evening.

Sindh govt imposes rain emergency at KW&SB

Separately, a rain emergency has been declared at the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KW&SB) on the orders of Sindh information minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, a KWSB spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said de-watering pumps have been deployed in low-lying areas and roads with the Board’s complain centre to register complaints all night.

Death toll from rains this season

During the second spell of monsoon on July 17, two people, including a police officer, had died of electrocution in the city as rain battered the metropolis, leaving the city's main roads and streets submerged in water.

Constable Irshad Ali was on-duty at the Water Pump in the city's Ibrahim Hyderi area when he died as a result of an electric shock. Another person in the city's Clifton area succumbed to electrocution.