The parts of the southern country, including Karachi, who had so far dodged the worst of the monsoon showers have been beaten on Tuesday by heavy rains that have wreaked havoc with the provincial metropolis, killing at least eight people, flooding all the key roads, submerging the sub-skips and paralyzing all the segments of life. The rain, which started in the first half of the day, continued, with only a short fall, until sunset. While the circulation system collapsed, the drainage lines were completed and the power supply broke under tension, Karachi’s rugging infrastructure seemed to separate from the seams. At least eight people have lost their lives in rain -related incidents, including the electrocution and collapse of concrete structures. While the hoses and the aging sewer system of Karachi fought a lost battle against the flood, the shuttles at peak hours were blocked in rising waters and that several districts were plunged into darkness. The rain was to continue until Saturday, and "Another spell is to start at the end of the month"said the President and CEO of the NDMA, General Inam Haider Malik. According to the Met Office, at 8 p.m., the city of Saadi recorded the highest precipitation at 176 millimeters, followed by Gulshan-i-Hadeed at 173 mm, Old Area Airport 158.7 mm, Jinnah Terminal 152.8 mm, Nazimabad 149.6 mm, Surjani Town 145.2 mm, Keamari 140mm Housing Authority 128 mm, North Karachi 108.4 mm, Korangi 132.2 mm, Gulshan-i-Maymar 98 mm, PAF Masroor Base 87mm, Orangi Town 66.2 mm and Bahria Town 4.8 mm. Sindh-chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced a public holiday for all provincial governments, semi-government, autonomous and private in the province on Friday (today). Schools will also remain closed, he added. However, he noted that all essential services and civic institutions would remain open. The situation also caused a telephone contact between the chief minister of the Sindh and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who discussed the consequences of the rains and examined the rescue measures. Balutchistan, meanwhile, also cried in 15 Balutchistan districts, and the main motorway connecting the province to Sindh was blocked for heavy vehicles, said Muhammad Younis, head of provincial disasters. Between 40 and 50 houses were damaged in two districts, he added. Forecast The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has planned torrential rains in the Sindh and in certain parts of Balutchistan in the coming days, warning potential urban floods, sudden floods and infrastructure damage. According to the Met Office, strong mousson currents from the Oman Sea and the Bengal Bay penetrate continuously into the country, in particular affecting the southern regions. In the Sindh, the widespread rain, the wind and the forms with heavy to very heavy falls are expected in Mithi, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Karachi, Thitta, Banid, Sajawal, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Blood and Jamshoro. Precipitation is also probably in scattered places in Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur and Jacobabad from August 19 to 22 with occasional breaks. In Balutchistan, rain, wind and timers with scattered heavy falls are probably in Barkhan, Musakhel, Loralai, Sibbi, Zhob, Qilla Saifullah, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Awaran, Kech, Gwadar and Panjgur during the same period. Meanwhile, moderate rains and working heads are expected in some parts of Islamabad, cashmere, gilgit-baltistan, northern Punjab (including Rawalpindi, Murrier, Gujranwala, Siackot and Lahore), southern Punjab (including Dera Ghazi Khan, Multiple and Rajanpur), and various districts Khyberhhhhhhwahwahwahwahwawa), and Khyber-Pakhhhwawa districts from 19 to 22. The PMD warned that torrential rains can cause urban floods in the low areas of the Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Badin, Sajawal and adjacent districts. In Balutchistan, strong showers could trigger sudden floods in the northern and southeast regions. Strong winds, strong precipitation and lightning can damage low structures, including vulnerable mud brick roofs, electric posts, display panels, vehicles and solar panels. The ministry advised the public, travelers and tourists to remain cautious, to avoid unnecessary exposure to vulnerable areas and to stay up to date with the latest weather alerts. The authorities concerned were invited to remain on alert and take precautionary measures to prevent any unfortunate situation.
“Karachi goes underwater”
