Karachi (Web Desk): At least seven people lost their lives while several others went missing as continuous monsoon showers unleashed widespread flooding in Karachi, leaving homes and streets submerged and daily life badly disrupted.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department reported that the prevailing weather system, positioned nearly 60 kilometres west of the city, remained a depression but was expected to weaken into a low-pressure area while drifting towards the Balochistan coast.
Earlier, the department had cautioned that the downpour would persist throughout Wednesday, particularly with heavy bursts in the southern and western parts of Karachi. The day recorded humidity levels of 92 percent, with the temperature fluctuating between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius.
According to rainfall statistics, Surjani Town received the highest showers at 129.6 millimetres, followed by North Karachi with 72 mm, Korangi with 71 mm, Defence Phase VII with 70 mm and Gulshan-e-Hadeed with 69 mm. Other readings included 55 mm at PAF Faisal Base, 54 mm in Nazimabad, 52 mm in Keamari and 51 mm in Saadi Town. Light to moderate showers continued into Wednesday, worsening stagnant water conditions in several neighbourhoods. Areas such as Shahrah-e-Faisal, Old City and Scheme 33 also witnessed rainfall, increasing drainage challenges and slowing traffic.
Runoff from the Kirthar hills caused the Thado Dam to overflow, spilling into adjoining streams and low-lying communities, while the Lath River also burst its banks and flooded patches of the M-9 Motorway near Jamali Bridge. Both Malir and Lyari rivers swelled dangerously, breaching embankments at multiple points.
The Malir River’s strong currents inundated the Korangi Causeway, forcing its closure and diverting vehicles towards Jam Sadiq Bridge and Qayyumabad. Overflow from Lyari River left nearby settlements under water, and rescue personnel managed to pull two people to safety in Gulshan-e-Iqbal.
In Gadap Nadi, two vehicles were swept away by raging waters; rescuers recovered two bodies, including that of a woman, while three more people remained untraced. Another man was electrocuted at a puncture shop in North Nazimabad, taking the toll to at least three deaths.
Several residential areas, including Saadi Town, Essa Nagri, Nasar Basti, Hasan Nauman Colony, Lassi Para, Machhar Colony and Yaar Mohammad Goth, were inundated, trapping residents and damaging structures.
Videos circulated online showed submerged streets in Saadi Town, contradicting earlier official statements. Rescue 1122 confirmed that more than 350 people had been evacuated with the support of local authorities, while the Pakistan Army also assisted families stranded in floodwaters.
Fifteen children, four women and an elderly man were rescued from Lassi Para near Sohrab Goth, while two more were saved near Lyari River in Gulshan-e-Iqbal.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah inspected flooded zones including Qayyumabad, Korangi Causeway and Shaheed Bhutto Road.
He maintained that the situation was being managed but advised citizens to stay vigilant until water levels subsided. He said the Thado Dam overflowed due to heavy inflows from the Kirthar hills but preparations were already in place to address the threat. He emphasised that this was not a time for political point-scoring and urged collective efforts.
Sindh government spokesperson Nadir Nabeel Gabol informed that 30 pumping machines had been deployed to clear water and additional equipment was being installed.
He explained that Shaheed Bhutto Road had been deliberately cut to allow water passage as it was still under construction, rejecting claims of collapse. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, while monitoring waterlogging at Nagan Chowrangi, announced that four relief centres had been established and rescue operations were underway across the city.
On the other hand, MQM-Pakistan convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui lambasted the Sindh government, calling the situation a glaring sign of negligence and incompetence. He warned of looming human and financial losses as swollen rivers entered residential areas and blamed encroachments on storm drains for the devastation. He further alleged that the collapse of Bhutto Road exposed corruption and argued that Karachi’s governance had been mishandled by non-local actors.
Traffic authorities shut down Korangi Causeway and connecting roads such as Godam Chowrangi to Mehmoodabad due to strong currents from Malir River, diverting commuters towards Jam Sadiq Bridge and Qayyumabad.
A road section between Teen Hatti and Guru Mandir caved in due to poor sewerage works, worsening gridlocks, while roads in Chowrangi Chowk, Jahangir Road, Civic Centre, NIPA, Kala Pul, Liaquatabad, Landhi, Dawood Chowrangi and Shahrah-e-Faisal remained waterlogged. Despite immense pressure, traffic police were deployed to regulate vehicle flow across the city.
The Karachi commissioner declared closure of educational institutions on Wednesday, while Dow University postponed its scheduled examinations, assuring that new dates would be announced later.
Officials later confirmed that water levels in streams and rivers had started receding as inflows from the Kirthar hills weakened. At Malir River bridge on M-9, the water level fell from 12 feet to 8 feet, and authorities expressed hope that conditions would stabilise once the rains fully ceased.