Ten people, including children, have lost their lives in various rain-related incidents after torrential rainfall battered Karachi, plunging the city into chaos with widespread urban flooding, power outages, and traffic disruptions.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast further heavy showers, while the Sindh government has declared a public holiday on Wednesday (August 20) to minimize public movement and ensure safety.

Casualties and accidents

In Gulistan-e-Jauhar, a house wall collapsed, killing a woman, her two children, and another person.
In Orangi Town, an 8-year-old boy died when a wall caved in.
Two people died from electrocution in separate incidents — one inside his house in North Karachi, and another in DHA’s Khayaban-e-Bukhari.
Several others sustained injuries in accidents linked to the downpour.

Karachi submerged: urban flooding cripples city

The relentless rainfall left much of the city submerged:

M.A. Jinnah Road saw partial clearance, but water still lingers from the KMC Building to Medicine Market.
I.I. Chundrigar Road, Liaquatabad, City Court, Drigh Road underpasses remain waterlogged despite dewatering efforts.
Qaidabad and Gulshan-e-Hadeed Phase I saw floodwaters enter homes.
Major areas including Shahrah-e-Faisal, Defence, Model Colony, Landhi, Nazimabad, and Gulistan-e-Johar faced severe waterlogging.

Power outages, internet disruptions, and flight cancellations

Around 800 feeders tripped, leaving 40% of Karachi without power.
Internet services were badly hit, with citizens reporting slow speeds and outages.
At Jinnah International Airport, several flights were cancelled or diverted due to poor weather conditions.

Traffic system collapses

The heavy downpour threw Karachi’s already burdened traffic system into disarray:

At Jail Chowrangi, dozens of vehicles broke down in rainwater, forcing commuters to abandon cars and bikes.
Severe jams were reported at Hassan Square, where fast-flowing rainwater worsened the situation.
Eyewitnesses reported a lack of traffic police presence, leaving citizens stranded for hours.

Govt response: public holiday, emergency efforts

During an emergency meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, officials reported 245 mm of rain recorded in just 12 hours.

The CM announced a public holiday in Karachi on August 20, urging citizens to stay indoors.

“The holiday aims to prevent hardship. Emergency teams are working to clear water from low-lying areas and restore mobility,” Shah said.

Provincial ministers Sharjeel Memon, Nasir Shah, Saeed Ghani, along with Karachi’s commissioner and mayor, were present at the meeting to review the city’s relief operations.