- Rain that began Wednesday night continues into Thursday.
- Highest rainfall recorded yesterday was 55.6mm in Korangi.
- Electricity remains suspended in Buffer Zone since 9pm.
KARACHI: At least 19 people have been killed after a powerful thunderstorm accompanied by gale-force winds lashed the port city on Wednesday night, with authorities warning of further heavy rainfall in the coming hours.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms began hitting parts of Karachi late last night, causing loss of life, damaging infrastructure and uprooting trees across the city. Rain continued on Thursday, with intermittent showers reported in multiple areas.
Areas including North Karachi, North Nazimabad, Federal B Area and adjoining localities reported light rain this morning (Thursday) while showers continue intermittently in other parts of the city.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said clouds currently over the sea may move towards the city, bringing one to two additional spells of heavy rain from today. Rainfall of 50mm or more is expected, along with thunderstorms and strong winds, though wind speeds are likely to be lower than those recorded a day earlier.
The department said the administration had been alerted in advance about the risk of strong winds, adding that incidents of billboards collapsing have also been reported.
According to the Met Office, rainfall in Karachi may vary from moderate to heavy in different areas today. The highest rainfall recorded yesterday was 55.6mm in Korangi.
Following yesterday’s rain, a noticeable coolness was felt in the city during the night. At present, the weather in Karachi is cloudy, with cool and pleasant conditions prevailing.
The Meteorological Department said the maximum temperature today is likely to range between 27°C and 29°C, while humidity levels currently stand at 82%.
Authorities said several people were killed when walls and roofs collapsed during heavy rain. In Baldia Town’s Mawachh Goth area, rescuers have so far recovered bodies of 13 people from the rubble of the collapsed building, as search operations continued overnight for more victims believed to be trapped beneath the debris.
Separately, a wall collapsed in Landhi’s Majeed Colony, killing two people, including a woman, while three people sustained injuries.
Another person lost his life after being struck by lightning in yet another incident near Yaru Goth in the Malir River.
A woman was also killed when the roof of her house collapsed in Korangi’s Sector 3½, while another man lost his life after a tree fell on him in Korangi No 5.
Rescue authorities said at least seven people were injured in various rain-related incidents across the city.
The PMD said strong winds accompanied the rainfall, with wind speeds reaching 90 kilometres per hour on Sharea Faisal and 97 kilometres per hour in Mauripur on Wednesday night.
Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab asked residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary movement. “Number of trees have fallen due to heavy gusts of wind,” he warned.
Meanwhile, residents in Buffer Zone have reported prolonged power outages, stating that electricity has not been restored since around 9pm last night.
A K-Electric spokesperson said power supply remains active on approximately 1,840 out of 2,100 feeders, with the number of rain-affected feeders gradually declining to around 260.
Moreover, the weather department forecast that rain and thunderstorms with strong winds, along with isolated hailstorms, are likely to affect other parts of Sindh today, as a westerly wave moves into the country’s western regions.
Under the influence of this weather system, the PMD said that rain and thunderstorms with strong winds, isolated hail, and occasional moderate to heavy showers are expected in Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Matiari, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Nosheroferoz, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu districts, and across the Karachi Division.
Rain/thunderstorm with strong winds” were also likely in Larkana, Qambar Shahdadkot, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Ghotki and Sukkur districts today and tomorrow with occasional gaps,” it added.
“Lightning strikes may occur at isolated places during the forecast period,” the PMD warned, advising farmers to manage their crops “according to the prevailing weather conditions”.
Another spell of westerly winds from March 24 to 27 may bring rain to Karachi and other parts of Sindh, the Meteorological Department said.
