Karachi, when it rains

KARACHI: When it rains in Karachi it pours, sometimes for a few minutes and sometimes longer. Residents of the city know for sure that rainfall means flooded roads, traffic jams and more recently power failures.

With all the negatives that come as a side order; faces still light up whenever a blanket of clouds finds its way to Karachi. It was not different on Thursday, commuters were trying to race home in time to avoid the imminent downpour.

Those lucky enough may have enjoyed some savory bites and samosas, if they had electricity. Minutes after the first droplets fell, KElectric announced 92 of its feeders had tripped.

Due to #Rain-fall 92 out of 1450 feeders have tripped. Teams are working for normalisation. pic.twitter.com/DT6MNtfwxg

— KE (@KElectricPk) July 23, 2015

For those not lucky enough to escape the downpour, it was bumper to bumper slow moving traffic.

Zainab Market turning, #Karachi via @WhatsApp group pic.twitter.com/YZ4FAZfFoL

— Ovais Jafar (@ovaisjafar) July 23, 2015

Good old I.I.Chundrigar road, #Karachi via @WhatsApp group pic.twitter.com/fqOboS7u8Q

— Ovais Jafar (@ovaisjafar) July 23, 2015

Surprisingly, traffic policemen often absent from their posts were not only present but busy directing traffic, and where the policemen were found wanting, good Samaritans stepped in to help.

#KarachiRain Salute to traffic police :) pic.twitter.com/lMZBYjuSeH

— Imran Ghazali (@ImranGhazaliPK) July 23, 2015

Where there are good Samaritans there are those who are the crux of the problem. Many traffic jams could have been avoided if certain drivers had only abided by the rules and avoided driving wrong-way.

Shaheed-e-Millat #Karachi via @WhatsApp group pic.twitter.com/hu4HBRGnYD

— Ovais Jafar (@ovaisjafar) July 23, 2015

The residential society towards the south of the city was no different. Vehicles were sending torrents of water as they plied the flooded streets of DHA.

#KarachiRain shared by Nasar via @WhatsApp pic.twitter.com/Msw7WzfPOM

— Ovais Jafar (@ovaisjafar) July 23, 2015

Approaching Punjab Chowrangi during the rain. #Karachi #Lightning via @Fauzan723 pic.twitter.com/1McCyhVca5

— Ovais Jafar (@ovaisjafar) July 23, 2015

The Meteorological Department has forecast more rainfall for Karachi till Monday. So brace yourself, for more thunder, lightning, traffic jams and blackouts.


The images and videos for this story were curated by @ovaisjafar using twitter, whatsapp and email. All images and videos have been used with permission