KARACHI: Public services in Karachi have been suspended and businesses are being urged to close, as torrential rains cause deadly flash flooding and infrastructure damage, leaving at least 17 dead since Saturday.
On Sunday night, more than 60 millimetres (2.3 inches) of rain fell in Karachi, equivalent to an entire months’ worth of rainfall in just a matter of hours.
For several months every summer, Sindh struggles to contend with heavy monsoon rains, but in recent years, experts say climate change is accelerating existing weather patterns.
Since the monsoon season began last month, more than 300 people have been killed by heavy rains — many of whom were electrocuted or drowned after roofs and walls collapsed on them — across Pakistan, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
In Karachi, entire neighbourhoods have been partially submerged. Photos show people wading knee-deep in muddy floodwater, with vehicles left stranded by the deluge.
The floods have turned main roads into rivers. Houses have been filled with sewage that spewed out of manholes. Electricity has been suspended for hours or days to prevent exposed wires from coming into contact with water in the streets and electrocuting people.
BALOCHISTAN DEATH TOLL AT 102
Meanwhile, the death toll from more than five weeks of monsoon rains and flash flooding in Balochistan has jumped to 102, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said.
Detailing the losses incurred during heavy rainfall, the provincial agency said women, children and men were among the dead.
“Overall 6,063 accommodations were demolished while 550-kilometer road track along four major highways in the province also got damaged during the rainfall,” it said.
Sharing the livestock losses, the agency said that 712 animals also died during the heavy rain.
The PDMA is actively carrying out relief and rescue activities and providing essential items to the affectees, it said. However, in some towns, people are still waiting for aid.
The government has already imposed section 144 across the province amid forecasts of more heavy rains. According to the notification, under section 144, people will not be allowed to go for a picnic at rivers, dams and other water bodies.
Swimming in rivers and water streams will also be banned, it said, adding that the ban will remain in place for a period of one month.
Moreover, the NDMA has provided relief goods to the province.
Amongst the items, family tents and de-watering pumps have been included to assist its provincial counterpart in providing relief to the affectees.
