- Several parts of the city remain submerged in stagnant rainwater.
- Citizens protest against an electric suspension up to 48 hours.
- About 100 feeders still closed, with current catering work.
Karachi: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Friday that the rain system that had beaten Karachi in the last three days should move today, with only light showers probably in the morning.
However, another rainy period should strike other Sindh parts later this month, according to a spokesperson for the Met Office.
“A new monsoon system will enter the Sindh on August 27, bringing rain to Karachi and other parts of the province until August 30,” said the spokesperson, adding that the existing system should go out today.
The rains began in Karachi on Tuesday, causing widespread floods while precipitation has reached the levels that are not seen in years in parts of the financial capital of Pakistan and the largest city – which houses more than 20 million people.
Disastrous precipitation resulted in 17 deaths, mainly caused by drowning, road accidents, collapse of buildings and electrocution.
The showers have disrupted energy, mobile services and thefts, officials said.
TV images showed cars and other vehicles floating in the streets and houses submerged in the water.
In Karachi, several major roads have developed puff nests in a few hours, with Jahangir Road resembling his former beaten state. The water has accumulated on the road from Teen Hatti to Gurumandir, slowing down traffic to a ramp.
Korangi roads were also closed after an increase in levels in the Malir river made the dangerous crossing.
The passages lower than Sohrab Goth and Drigh Road remained flooded, while the rainwater lingered on Airport Road and the Safora route to Pehlwan Goth, seriously affecting the flow of traffic.
The situation forced several private schools to announce closures for the day. Certain courses have shifted online, although the Sindh government has not published any directive for a general closure of schools.
Power supply
The sudden drawback has disrupted the city’s electrical system, and the efforts to restore supplies were hampered by plowing and traffic congestion, which made access difficult.
However, prolonged power cuts have deepened the misery of helpless citizens.
The residents of Gulistan-E-Jauhar Block 9 organized demonstrations against K-Electric during the breakdowns which extended during the 56 hours, saying that they had been left without electricity and water.
Children, women and the elderly suffer, “said a demonstrator outside the public service office, where people gathered with drums to record their anger.
Power suspensions have also been reported in the city of City Villas, Muslim Housing Society (diagram 38), Saddar and Jubilee Market, where the residents said that the offer had been reduced since Tuesday evening.
K-Electric, in a statement, said that electricity was provided to 2,000 of its 2,100 feeders across the city.
About 100 feeders have remained closed, with current restoration work, added the spokesperson.
But breakdowns of 24 hours or more have been reported in several blocks of Gulistan-E-Jauhar as well as in the architectural society and the Karachi returned Judicial Society.
For many residents, the combination of streets full of water and prolonged current failures has become a dark recall of the vulneration of Karachi to a modest rain fate.
This year, nearly 750 people have died since the start of the season, according to the authorities.
Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change and faces extreme weather events.
Mousson floods overwhelmed a third of Pakistan in 2022, resulting in around 1,700 deaths.
