Light Showers After Days of Chaos
Karachi woke up to light showers on Thursday morning, marking the fourth consecutive day of monsoon rainfall that has battered the metropolis since September 8. While today’s drizzle was lighter than previous downpours, several areas including MA Jinnah Road, II Chundrigar Road, Clifton, University Road, and Gulistan-e-Jauhar reported rain that added to the already waterlogged atmosphere of the city.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), light rain and humid, partly cloudy conditions are expected to continue over the next 24 hours. The weather system that had triggered days of torrential downpours has now weakened into a low-pressure zone and moved away from Karachi’s coastline.
Flooding and Rescue Operations
The three days of heavy rains earlier this week caused widespread flooding and severe urban disruption. The Lyari and Malir rivers overflowed, inundating low-lying neighborhoods and forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes.
Rescue operations were carried out by Rescue 1122, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), and the Pakistan Army, who collectively evacuated more than 350 people from flood-hit areas. Sadly, multiple fatalities were reported due to drowning incidents in the overflowing Gadap River, with search teams still looking for missing persons.
Rainfall Statistics
PMD figures showed that Surjani Town received the highest rainfall from September 8–10, recording 143.8 millimeters. Other areas also experienced significant downpours:
- Gulshan-e-Maymar: 109.8mm
- Gulshan-e-Hadeed: 92mm
- Korangi: 92mm
- North Karachi: 81.6mm
- DHA: 74.5mm
- Sharea Faisal: 64mm
Although major arteries like Sharea Faisal, the M-9 Motorway, and Lyari Expressway have been cleared and reopened, several localities remain submerged.
Government Response and Public Concerns
Speaking at Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s mausoleum on his 77th death anniversary, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed satisfaction with the provincial government’s response during the rains. He acknowledged shortcomings but insisted that the administration had been active throughout the crisis.
The chief minister also admitted mistakes during last month’s sudden August downpour, where citizens were left stranded without proper warnings. He stressed that new drainage systems, including those near Saadi Town and Saadi Garden, are in place but face structural challenges due to restrictions on building drains across the M-9 Motorway.
The PMD has confirmed that the depression over the North Arabian Sea has shifted westward, exiting Karachi, and will weaken further in the next 12 hours. While the city may continue to see light showers, the risk of intense rainfall has subsided, giving Karachi a chance to recover from the devastation of the past few days.
