Karachi was battered by another spell of monsoon showers on Tuesday, leaving several neighborhoods waterlogged and parts of the city without electricity. The downpour, which began early morning, slowed traffic to a crawl on major roads and forced authorities to issue emergency instructions.
Key Roads Choked Across the City
By afternoon, the Karachi Traffic Police reported gridlock in nearly every district. Congestion was most severe around Capri Chowk, MA Jinnah Road, and I.I. Chundrigar Road in the south; Bahadurabad and University Road in the east; Lasbela Chowk and Nipa in the central district; Gulbai Chowk and Dabba Mor in the west; and Jinnah Avenue and the National Highway in Malir.
Officials urged motorists to drive cautiously, avoid sudden braking, and maintain distance between vehicles as standing water made several stretches treacherous. In one instance, water collected inside the Nazimabad Underpass, forcing a diversion to Hakim Ibne Sina Road.
Government on High Alert
Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah instructed all deputy commissioners and disaster management teams to remain in the field, coordinate with the Met Office, and prioritize draining water from key arteries. Health services and Rescue 1122 were also ordered to stay on standby.
Mayor Murtaza Wahab declared a formal rain emergency in Karachi. The order cancelled all leaves for essential service departments, while the fire brigade, municipal services, and Urban Search and Rescue teams were directed to set up a dedicated control cell.
Separately, the East Zone police chief placed officers on high alert, instructing station heads to ensure drainage, maintain traffic flow, and be available round the clock. Police also appealed to citizens to stay indoors unless necessary and to report emergencies via helplines.
How Much Rain Fell?
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Saadi Town recorded the heaviest showers at 35.8mm, followed by Gulshan-i-Maymar at 33.3mm and Nazimabad with 26mm. Other parts of the city saw lighter rainfall: Korangi (4.6mm), Surjani (7mm), DHA Phase VII (3mm), and PAF Base Faisal (1mm).
The Met Office forecast intermittent showers throughout the day, with temperatures hovering around 28°C and humidity at 85%. Widespread rains and thunderstorms are expected across Sindh until August 22, potentially intensifying in districts such as Tharparkar, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, and Mirpur Khas.
Bigger Picture
Karachi’s annual monsoon rains are a double-edged sword. They provide crucial relief from scorching summer heat and replenish water resources but also expose the city’s fragile infrastructure. Poor drainage and unchecked urban sprawl regularly turn downpours into flooding emergencies, disrupting daily life and putting lives and property at risk.
