Karachi weather update: Eight dead, 400 feeders trip as heavy rain continues

KARACHI: At least eight people, including three children, have died in various rain-related accidents here in the southern port city as the fourth spell of monsoon rains continued across Sindh, with heavy downpours, thunder, and lightning in various cities.

Amid the devastation brought on by the rain, a 12-year-old boy died after drowning in a naddi (canal) near Bhains Colony in Surjani Town, rescue sources said.

Rescue sources added that seven people died of electrocution; the deceased included two children.

Heavy rain on Thursday night continued through Friday, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) saying the highest rainfall was recorded in Gulistan-e-Johar at 8 millimetres (mm). Keamari, Saddar, Nazimabad, and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Faisal Base registered 7.3mm, 4mm, 2.8mm, and 1mm, respectively.

In addition, Saddar, I.I. Chundrigar Road, and surrounding areas also experienced heavy showers throughout the day.

Sources at the K-Electric, the metropolis' sole power-supplying company, said more than 400 feeders tripped in different areas as soon as the downpour hit Karachi, causing immediate power outages in multiple neighbourhoods.

The PMD had forecast a continuation of the torrential rains today in Karachi, with the city expected to receive between 80-130mm of rainfall and gusty winds throughout the day.

According to the PMD, the low air pressure over Rajasthan has intensified. The department's director said the low air pressure was currently present in the port city, as well as parts of southern Balochistan.

The downpour is expected to continue intermittently till Saturday.

Also, several flights were either cancelled or diverted to other airports due to bad weather in Karachi.

Thursday's devastation

Yesterday, at least three people had died in different rain-related incidents in Karachi. Two of them were killed due to electrocution in Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Lyari, while another drowned in the Lyari river near Maripur.

The rain showers did not come with glad tidings for the residents of the city as prolonged power outages continued to make life difficult for the people.

In view of the fourth rain spell in the monsoon season and the pandemic, the NED University had cancelled its midterms to be held on Thursday and Friday.

The inundation of various roads and low-lying areas had caused massive traffic jams and left large city areas without electricity.

Sources at the K-Electric had said more than 600 feeders tripped in different areas as soon as the downpour hit Karachi.

The rain had also uprooted trees in some areas, particularly in the city's Garden locality.