Heavy rains paralyses Karachi, schools closed

KARACHI: Torrential rains have paralysed life in Karachi, leaving most parts of the city inundated with rain water entering several residential areas. Schools have also been closed today in the metropolitan city.

A strong rain stream from the Super Highway flowed into Saadi Town, flooding houses in Block 8. Rescue operations were underway around the Lyari River.

The flow of water in the Malir River surged, while water levels also rose in other drains. Rainwater accumulated along major roads, creating severe traffic jams.

 According to the Met Department, Gulshan-e-Maymar received the highest rainfall at 37.3mm. North Karachi recorded 29mm, Korangi 23.6mm, Nazimabad 21mm, Saadi Town 18.1mm, Gulshan-e-Hadeed and Shahrah-e-Faisal 15mm each, Keamari and Orangi 14mm, Airport 12.9mm, University Road 10mm, while Defence received just 2mm.

The rains caused Malir and Thaddo rivers to overflow. A rickshaw was swept away in Thaddo River, leaving a woman missing, though two others were rescued.

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Near Dumba Goth on the Motorway, a truck carrying poultry overturned. Gadap police said nine people were travelling in the Mazda truck. Speeding on the rain-soaked road caused the accident, injuring seven people, while two escaped unhurt.

In New Karachi, a youth was electrocuted. In Shah Latif Town, two youngsters drowned in the river; one of them, Mustafa, was rescued.

Slippery roads worsened conditions as the Malir causeway also went under water. Several areas, including Defence, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Nazimabad, Liaquatabad, Landhi, Korangi, Gadap, Bahria Town and Keamari, experienced traffic chaos and power breakdowns.

Deputy Commissioner Central, Taha Saleem, paid an emergency visit and directed all departments to begin immediate drainage operations. The Met Office forecast that the spell is likely to continue till September 10.

SCHOOLS CLOSED IN KARACHI

In view of the rain, a holiday has been announced for schools today in Karachi.

According to the Commissioner Karachi, all educational institutions in the city will remain closed today, and a notification has been issued in this regard.

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Meanwhile, examinations scheduled for today at Dow University have also been postponed. New dates will be announced later.

KARACHI MAYOR

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said no loss of life had been reported in the city so far. He confirmed that 318 people had been rescued from different areas affected by flooding.

Mayor Wahab warned that more rainfall is expected in Karachi today. “This day will also be challenging for us,” he said, adding that rescue and municipal teams will remain on the ground throughout.

Meanwhile, the flow of rainwater on the M-9 Motorway has started to recede, improving the traffic situation in the area.

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