Karachi rain persists as overnight downpour leaves nearly 20 dead

KARACHI: Rain that began on Wednesday night continued to lash Karachi into Thursday, leaving nearly 20 people dead in the aftermath of the overnight downpour that battered the port city.

Widespread rainfall across the city

The persistent spell of rain, driven by a westerly weather system, showed no signs of letting up as heavy showers continued to drench various parts of Karachi on Thursday. The downpour, which started on Wednesday night, caused widespread disruption across the metropolis.

The highest rainfall was recorded in the Korangi area, where 55.6 millimetres of rain was measured, making it the worst-hit locality in terms of precipitation during this spell.

Nearly 20 lives lost

The torrential overnight rain proved deadly, claiming the lives of nearly 20 people across the city. The fatalities underscored the vulnerability of Karachi's infrastructure and drainage systems during heavy rainfall events.

Weather outlook

Following the rain, the weather in Karachi turned pleasant on Thursday. However, residents may have little time to recover, as another spell of westerly winds is expected to affect the region from March 24 to 27, potentially bringing more rain to the city.

The back-to-back weather systems are likely to keep authorities on alert as the city deals with the aftermath of the current spell of rain while bracing for the next round of wet weather expected later this month.

The deaths caused by the overnight downpour have once again highlighted the recurring challenges Karachi faces during heavy rainfall, with waterlogging, infrastructure damage, and loss of life being common consequences of such weather events in Pakistan's largest city.