At least 29 people have died in Karachi as a result of the recent heavy monsoon rains, according to officials, as the city continues to recover from the dangerous first spell of rain’s paralysing effects.
47 people died between July 4 and July 11, according to Sindh’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), including 29 deaths just in the port city and 26 deaths from electrocution.
According to Pakistan Meteorological Department chief meteorologist Dr. Sardar Sarfaraz, rainfall of 60 to 70 mm is anticipated in the city over the next three to four days.
The top meteorologist issued a warning that the port city may experience urban flooding as a result of the second monsoon’s torrential rains.
He forewarned of heavy rains beginning tomorrow in interior Sindh (Thursday).
From July 5 to July 11, according to Sarfaraz, Karachi received more than 342mm of rain. He insisted that since July 5 until now, the nation has experienced “above normal” rainfall.
Government of Sindh says roads are clear.
Meanwhile, according to Sharjeel Inam Memon, the minister of information for Sindh, 90% of the city’s rainwater has been drained away and the roads have been cleared.
The rainwater that has accumulated in the old city area will soon be drained, according to the information minister.
In response to criticism levelled at the Sindh government by the opposition parties regarding the post-rain situation in the province, he argued that the political parties were simply trying to score points before the local body elections.
After heavy downpours continued for a second day (Tuesday), flooding the roads throughout the city, life came to a complete stop.
MQM-P responds
Wasim Akhtar, a former mayor of Karachi and current leader of the MQM-P, blamed the Sindh and federal governments for Karachi’s post-rains situation.
He insisted that until power is transferred to the grassroots, the destiny of the city won’t change.
Significant monsoon activity
The PMD on Tuesday anticipated more widespread rains in Karachi as well as other regions of Sindh, Balochistan, and South Punjab from July 14 to 17. This was in response to the havoc caused by the intermittent heavy rains in Karachi over the previous two days.
In addition, another potent monsoon low-pressure area (LPA) is likely to approach Sindh on July 14 (Thursday), according to a statement from the PMD. “Monsoon currents from the Bay of Bengal are continuously penetrating upper and central parts of the country,” the statement read.
The PMD added that Balochistan and South Punjab would also experience rains in addition to Sindh.
“More frequent and sporadic heavy to very heavy rain-wind/thundershowers are anticipated in Karachi and Hyderabad under the influence of this weather system. From July 14 to July 17, the following cities will be affected: Thatta, Badin, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Mithi, Jamshoro, Nosheroferoze, Larkana, Jaccobabad, Ghotki, Sukkur, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Qambar Shahdadkot, Kashmore, Zhob, Ziarat,”
Islamabad, Kashmir, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Kurram, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Kohat, Mianwali, Sargodha, Hafizabad, MB Din, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore
