At least ten people, including a teenage girl, were killed in rain-related incidents after rains played havoc with normal life in Karachi on Monday. The downpour virtually brought life to a halt as commercial markets, shopping centers, educational institutions and offices, largely remained closed, amid prolonged power cuts, water supply suspension and traffic jams throughout the day. Electrocution was the reason behind most deaths.
Rains also disturbed air, road and train services between Karachi and upcountry. Pakistan Railways Karachi Division officials said a number of trains including Pakistan Express, Allama Iqbal Express, Tezgam, Pak Business Express, Millat Express, Jinnah Express were delayed for many hours, causing hardships to rain-hit commuters. Scheduled events, functions and official meetings were suspended due to heavy downpour. Traders at the sacrificial cattle market on Superhighway and elsewhere in the metropolis also faced immense problems.
People, industrial workers, were trapped inside their units and offices till filing of this report with no public transport available on roads. "I will have to spend whole night at my office, as no public transport is available," said Liaqat Ali, a resident of Malir Ghazi Town, who works at a private office near City Railways Station.
Gulshan-e-Hadeed received 21.0 mm of rainfall till around 6pm, North Karachi 42.0 mm, Nazimabad 39.0 mm, Saddar 60.0 mm, Landhi 11.5, mm, Airport old area 34.0 mm, University road 34.3mm, Shahrae Faisal 45.0mm, Jinnah terminal 35.0mm, Kimari 4.5mm, Surjani 50.0mm. An unidentified man reportedly died due to electrocution near Boat Basin. His body was shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center by Edhi ambulance.
Municipal Services Department officials of KMC, KWSB, and SSWMB teams were seen installing and operating suction pumps at different city locations including Sharah-e-Faisal to remove rain water. Policemen were seen regulating traffic. On a KW&SB complaint, regarding electricity issues in its strategic pumping stations of Dhabeji, Gharo, Pipri and Hub, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah asked power utility officials to resolve the matter on a war footing basis.
The CM directed Energy Minister Imtiaz Shaikh to ensure proper water supply and dewatering in all the districts receiving heavy rains by ensuring power supply by K. Electric and Hesco. Malir, Gadap, Lines Area, New Karachi, Baldia, Johar, Nazimabad, Kaemari, Safoora Goth, Korangi and Saddar were among power hit areas. KE teams were working in various parts of the city to restore power. As the Met department has forecast two more days of rains, all private and government educational institutions will remain closed till July 30.
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