Monsoon 2021: Karachi suffers major power breakdown with first drop of rain

• Karachiites suffer as major power breakdown hit city after rainfall.
• Sindh minister says PMD did not predict rain in Karachi.
• Traffic flowing slowly on main Karachi roads due to rainwater.

KARACHI: Karachi woke up to its first monsoon shower Monday after a brief hot spell.

According to Karachi Met Director Sardar Sarfaraz, light to moderate rains may continue intermittently today while heavy showers are expected at night.

The official said that monsoon winds entered via Indian Gujarat, causing rain in the metropolis.

Some of the city's areas that received rainfall include Malir, Landhi, II Chundrigar Road and its surrounding areas, Steel Town, Yaseenabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Saddar, Numaish, Old City Area, Gadap, University Road and Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

“Clouds are likely to fall in Tharparkar and surrounding areas on July 12,” the Met office had said in a statement on Satturday.

The Met office had said that Karachi could expect light rain on July 12 before the first spell of monsoons officially begins.

Minister blames PMD

Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has blamed the weather department for not predicting today’s rain in the metropolis.

The provincial minister said that in principle, the Met Department must inform provincial governments and relevant agencies about the rains and directed the local bodies department to mobilize in view of the inclement weather.

Shah ordered the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, DMCs and KMC to ensure timely drainage of rainwater from the city's roads and low-lying areas.

He said choking points should be cleared on a priority basis.

Shah issued orders to closely monitor slums, dilapidated buildings and floods in nullahs

“District administrations should visit their areas for timely assistance to the people, he said.

No electricity

As per reports, some of the city's areas that received rainfall include Malir, Landhi, II Chundrigar Road and its surrounding areas, Steel Town, Yaseenabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Saddar, Numaish, Old City Area, Gadap, University Road and Gulistan-e-Jauhar. 

Power supply was suspended in various areas of the city due to the rain. Karachi-Electric (KE) said it was monitoring the situation. 

The Met department said Karachi may continue to receive a mixture of heavy and light rainfall for the next two hours. 

‘Flight operations normal at Karachi airport’

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said that the flight operations are normal at the Jinnah International Airport amid rains in the city.

It said that as a precautionary measure, directions have been issued to tie up the mall planes to protect them from accidents.