NDMA puts Karachi on flood alert as heavy rains pound city again
Staff Report
KARACHI: National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) Emergency Operations Centre said extremely heavy rainfall is expected over the next 12–24 hours in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur and adjoining areas.
According to the statement, more than 50 to 100 millimetres of rain could fall in a short period. Owing to intense rainfall and inadequate drainage, the danger of urban flooding remains in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Mirpurkhas.
In addition, flash floods are feared in Thatta, Badin, Jamshoro and Dadu districts, while rising water levels in the Indus River and its tributaries could trigger flooding in low-lying areas.
Second spell of rain hits Karachi on Wednesday as the city reeled from record monsoon downpours a day earlier that left at least 11 people dead, inundated neighbourhoods, disrupted power supply and damaged roads.
Karachi Mayor MurtazaWahab on Wednesday said the city’s recent downpour was part of the wider challenge of climate change, which has also destroyed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir in recent days.
Addressing a press conference, he said global warming and climate change were a reality and a test for administrations worldwide, citing the situations in New York, Dubai and Mumbai.
The mayor said the heavy rains left residents facing difficulties, with criticism and political point-scoring further exacerbating the situation. He noted that Karachi’s stormwater drains have a capacity of only 40mm. “When rainfall exceeds this amount, consequences become evident,” he said.
He posted on X, urging citizens to avoid Shaheed-e-Millat Road as clearing work was underway at the underpasses, and advised using Stadium Road or Shahrah-e-Quaideen as alternatives.
Traffic diversions also remained in place across the metropolis amid the lingering aftermath of the deluge.
PMD spokesperson AnjumNazirZaigham forecast that thunderstorms with rain could begin across Karachi within the next two hours.
He warned that due to expected rainfall today and tomorrow, there remained risks of urban flooding.
Rain relief efforts continued through the night and by Wednesday morning, Sharah-e-Faisal was mostly cleared, as was Shahrah-e-Bhutto. However, Korangi Crossing near Qayyumanbad remained flooded and closed from either side.
Power supply update: Following the heavy monsoon rains, K-Electric’s generation, transmission and distribution system remains stable, with electricity being supplied across the city through approximately 2,000 feeders, the company’s spokesperson said.
Restoration work is underway in affected areas as soon as standing rainwater recedes and ground teams issue safety clearance, the spokesperson added.
The areas where supply has been restored include SaimaPari Centre in Surjani Town, KDA Apartments, Hill View Apartments, North Nazimabad Blocks A, C, D, I, J, K, R and S, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Block 10-A, MurtazaChowrangi, Sector 21 and Sector 29 in Korangi, as well as Khayaban-e-Shamsheer, Khayaban-e-Shaheen, Gizri Boulevard and Commercial Streets 1 to 4 in Defence.
Power supply has also been restored to Sir Syed Ahmed Khan Road, Khalid Bin Waleed Road, PECHS Blocks 2 and 3, PIB, Nafeesabad and Iqbal Colony.
