Punjab by-elections: Imran Khan addresses public meetings in Lodhran, Muzaffargarh

Two people were killed in a continuous rainstorm in the flooded part of Karachi the next day

At least five people were killed as relentless rainfall battered Karachi on Monday, submerging several areas of the city and leaving many without power on the second day of Eidul Azha.

According to police, four people were killed due to electric shock in different areas while one died due to collapse of a wall. Karachi police said that further investigation is underway.

Despite the Sindh government's claims of cleaning up the city's storm drains, the overnight rains caused rainwater to accumulate on roads and neighborhoods, reminiscent of the devastating torrential rains of August 2020.

On social media, citizens complained of prolonged power outages and turning roads into "rivers" as the #Karachirain trend took to Twitter.

However, Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab said the "quantum of rain has been 126mm in certain areas of Karachi in three hours".

He said that the nullahs and drains were taking water, but the process was slow. "The pumping stations are also working at a packed capacity. We are trying our best to address the situation. CM & his team are in the field," he added.

According to data released by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), PAF Masroor base received the heaviest rainfall (119.5 mm) in the last 24 hours, followed by DHA Phase 2 (106.6). Is. Mm, Quaidabad (76 mm), PAF Faisal base (76 mm) were recorded. 65 mm, Orangi Town (56.2 mm), Old Airport Area (49.8 mm), Gulshan-e-Hadid (46.5 mm), Nazimabad (31.8 mm), Jinnah Terminal (29.6 mm), University Road (14.8 mm) M), Surjani Town (14.4 mm), Gadap Town (9.2 mm), North Karachi (2.3 mm) and Saadi Town (1.1 mm).

Later, Wahab tweeted that the Frere nullah was "flowing well".

In addition, the traffic police said that the submarine Chowk underpass, KPT underpass and near the shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi has been closed due to accumulation of rain water.Chief Minister Shah directed all the concerned departments to expedite the work to deal with the rain emergency. After visiting several waterlogged areas along with Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab and other officials, he issued instructions for immediate drainage of the road from Taj Mahal Hotel to Jinnah Hospital so that vehicles do not face any difficulty in reaching the hospital. Have to do

He also ordered the installation of suction pumps across the city to expedite drainage.
He also convened a meeting at the Chief Minister's House to discuss the situation.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said he was "deeply saddened" by the damage caused by the torrential rains and had spoken to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

"I am confident that Sindh government will rise to the occasion and bring life back to normal under the able leadership of CM Sindh. Have offered to extend every possible support."

CM says high tide made drainage difficult, praises Wahab for 'unprecedented' service

In a media briefing, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that different areas of South District received about 232 mm or nine inches of rain in 15 hours. He highlighted the challenges that authorities faced in trying to clear flooded roads.

"As soon as it rained, the resources already deployed in different areas were put to work," he said.

He also cited the challenges of high tide, which he attributed to a forthcoming full moon, which slows down drainage into the sea.

He said he had seen the canals themselves, which were "absolutely full to the brim" and flowing beyond their capacity.

"We have deployed our machinery and our ministers are on the streets. I myself spent 2.5 hours visiting the city," Shah said.

He said that he went to Shara Faisal from the Chief Minister's House, turned to Karsaz and from there he went around the jail. He also said that he went to the center of the city, especially the area around the Sindh Secretariat, which he described as under water.

The area around the High Court and Supreme Court registry was also submerged.

"We will do our best to [clear the streets] as soon as possible," Shah said.

He warned that the rains were likely to continue. He said that rain is forecast for today which will decrease till tomorrow but it will increase by Wednesday.

"It is very important for us to clear the waterways [before the rains intensify]," Shah added.

The Chief Minister said that at present the worst affected areas are District South, which includes Defense, other areas of the cantonment, Lyari and Saddar.

He said that all the ministers have been posted in their designated areas, and Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab has been selected for the award. "I don't think this level of work has ever been done in Karachi before."

Shah said he had instructed the city administration to provide shelter to residents of low-lying areas where water had entered the residential premises.

He blamed illegal construction on canals and natural waterways - including the government's own installations - for the floods, and acknowledged that the provincial authority might have to take the lead in demolishing such buildings.

'Don't leave home unnecessarily'

Commissioner Karachi Muhammad Iqbal Memon urged Karachiites to not leave their homes unnecessarily and stay away from electricity poles. "Stay away from utility lines poles, wires and nullahs."

In a statement, he also cautioned people to keep their distance from drains and manholes.

Heavy rain forecast

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rains with thundershowers in Karachi, Thatta, Badin and Hyderabad.

Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz said the new weather system coming to the city would last from July 18 to 19.

Sarfraz also said that intermittent rain with thunderstorm is also expected in Mirpur Khas, Umerkot and Tando Muhammad Khan. He also warned of flood danger in low lying areas of Karachi, Badin, Thatta, Mirpur Khas and Umerkot.

In an update shared on Twitter around 2:30 a.m., a spokesman for K Electric claimed that the power supply system in the area was stable.

"Most areas of the city are getting electricity from more than 1,770 feeders out of 1,900," he said. He added that about 130 feeders had been shut down as a precautionary measure following reports of power theft or rainwater harvesting.

The week-long monsoon spell has already claimed many lives. Six people were killed in rain-related incidents on Friday, while seven people were killed in a lightning strike on Saturday.