Intermittent showers batter Karachi as PMD forecasts more heavy rain in evening

• Port city expected to receive up to 150mm of rainfall under influence of new monsoon spell.
• Heavy rainfall hit most parts of the city after 10:30am.
• Several areas of Karachi face urban flooding due to overflowing of nullahs.

KARACHI: Intermittent monsoon rains have continued to batter parts of Karachi since last night, submerging several low-lying areas of the port city amid a forecast of more heavy showers in the evening.

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) chief meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz had said the port city is expected to receive 130 to 150mm of rainfall under the influence of a new spell of the monsoon system that entered Sindh from Rajasthan.

Heavy rainfall hit most parts of the city after 10:30am.  

Different areas of the city, including Malir, surrounding areas of the airport, Sharae Faisal, University Road, Gulberg, Sohrab Goth and the Old City area experienced heavy monsoon downpours.

'Intensity of rain to increase'

Talking to Geo News, chief meteorologist Sarfaraz said that the intensity of the rain is expected to increase in the evening. He maintained that most parts of the port city are likely to receive heavy rainfall in the evening/night.

“The intermittent showers are expected to continue till 12pm tomorrow,” forecast Sardar Sarfaraz, adding that the current spell of monsoon rain is likely to continue for the next three days.

He warned that the heavy falls may cause flooding and water logging in the city’s low-lying areas.

In a statement, the PMD warned, “Heavy rains may generate urban flooding in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Shaheed Benazirabad, D.G.Khan, Sargodha, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan on Sunday (today) and Monday.”

Flash flooding is also expected in local nullahs of Zhob, Loralai, Barkhan, Kohlu, Musa Khel, Sherani, Sibbi, Bolan and hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan during the period, read the statement.

The Met Office said that strong monsoon currents are penetrating upper, central and southern parts of the country.

Scattered, heavy falls are likely in Sindh while scattered heavy falls in eastern Balochistan, Southern Punjab and Lower Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it added.

Besides Karachi, Hyderabad, Tharparkar, Shahdadpur, Hala, Tando Muhammad Khan and other cities of the province also received heavy rainfall today.

Nullahs overflow

Rainwater accumulated on the main roads of Nagan Chowrangi, leading to vehicles being stranded and citizens facing difficulties.

The government machinery has not been able to clear the water from Nagan Chowrangi yet, however, the volunteers of the district administration and welfare institutions are engaged in helping commuters.

Meanwhile, New Karachi's Godhara nullah and Shadman nullah, once again, overflow, causing flooding in the nearby areas.

The police said that there has been a crack in the Hub canal, due to which the water is moving toward Manghopir's area, however, machinery is being brought to fill the crack.

"The water supply has been stopped till the canal gets repaired," the police said, adding that no one has been affected due to the situation.

Meanwhile, intermittent heavy to moderate showers led to prolonged power outages in many areas of Karachi. Keeping in view the current situation of the city, the K-Electric spokesperson said that about 100 of the 1,900 feeders have been shut down for safety reasons.

'Leaders eating pakoras while masses suffered'

Former governor of Sindh Imran Ismail criticised the provincial government, saying the leaders are busy playing the flutes and eating pakoras while the masses suffered.

According to Geo News, water has entered houses and shops of most low-lying areas, while the government has not been able to build a drainage system in any city of Sindh in the last 14 years, Ismail said, adding that Sindh has reached its worst condition under Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah's leadership.

On the other hand, CM Murad visited Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and other areas, directing Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab to install pumping stations in DHA immediately.*