Sindh declares August 20 holiday in Karachi as city braces for more rains, with officials racing to keep city moving
STAFF REPORT
KARACHI: The Sindh government declared a public holiday for Wednesday, August 20, after devastating rains overwhelmed Karachi, flooding homes and killing at least 10 people in electrocutions, drownings, and wall-collapse incidents. Power outages hit several areas, while internet and mobile services were also disrupted, with Gulshan-eHadeed recording the highest rainfall at 170mm. Authorities have advised people to avoid commuting, as many returning from work and school remain stranded with water rising several feet in areas, including Malir — a situation reminiscent of the devastating 2022 rains. Intermittent downpours continued to lash Karachi throughout the day, leaving much of the city submerged. Several neighbourhoods, including Gulshan-eHadeed, Korangi Crossing, Liaquatabad, Baldia Town, Rafah-e-Aam, and Shah Faisal Colony, reported rainwater entering homes. In some areas, particularly Malir and North Karachi, water levels rose to around four feet, forcing residents to abandon vehicles and wade through flooded streets. Traffic came to a grinding halt on key arteries, including Sharea Faisal, University Road, and II Chundrigar Road. Vehicles broke down on waterlogged streets, with long queues seen on Nagan Chowrangi, Hub River Road, and Miran Naka, where commuters remained stuck for hours. The low-lying neighbourhoods in Surjani Town, North Nazimabad’s Shadman Town, and several areas of District Malir were also inundated. Rescue officials said three people, including two women, drowned in a stormwater drain near Guru Mandir. Two women were rescued, while the search for the third person was still underway. Four people were killed and two were injured when a house wall collapsed in Gulistan-e-Jauhar Block 12, and a child died in a similar incident in Orangi. A motorcyclist was electrocuted on a footpath near Nursery on Shahrah-eFaisal, while another young man riding a motorbike in Defence Housing Authority (DHA) lost his life after receiving an electric shock from rainwater, rescue officials said. Others died in separate rain-related incidents, raising the overall death toll in Karachi to 10. A Met Office spokesperson said the next two days are critical for Karachi with regard to rain and added that the port city is likely to receive more heavy rain on August 20 and 21.
