Karachi experienced another day of intense rainfall on Thursday, marking the second consecutive day of wet weather that has left the city grappling with the aftermath of a devastating storm. This fresh bout of rain arrived just hours after a severe thunderstorm swept through the metropolis on Wednesday night, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 19 lives and causing significant destruction to homes and infrastructure.
The downpour was recorded across multiple neighborhoods, including Orangi Town, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulshan-e-Maymar, Lyari, Clifton, Scheme 33, and Mauripur, where residents also reported hailstones falling alongside the rain. Additionally, areas such as II Chundrigar Road and North Nazimabad witnessed persistent showers, further complicating the situation for the city’s inhabitants. The relentless rain has contributed to a noticeable drop in temperatures, providing a brief respite from the usual heat but also raising concerns about flooding and waterlogging in vulnerable localities.
The violent storm that struck late Wednesday night brought with it powerful gale-force winds and torrential rain, which led to the collapse of walls and roofs in several parts of the city. Emergency responders have been working tirelessly to search for survivors amid the rubble. In Baldia Town’s Mawachh Goth area, rescue teams have recovered 13 bodies so far, with efforts continuing overnight to locate others who remain trapped under debris. The scale of destruction in this area has been particularly severe, highlighting the storm’s ferocity.
Elsewhere, in Landhi’s Majeed Colony, a collapsing wall claimed the lives of two individuals, including a woman, while three others sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals. Another fatality was reported near Yaru Goth in the Malir River area, where a man was struck by lightning during the storm. These incidents underscore the widespread impact of the extreme weather conditions, which have affected both urban and peripheral zones of Karachi.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had earlier predicted the continuation of unsettled weather across Sindh, forecasting rain and thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds and isolated hailstorms. This weather pattern is attributed to a westerly wave moving into the western parts of the country, which is expected to influence the region’s climate over the coming days. The PMD issued warnings for several districts, including Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Matiari, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Nosheroferoz, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Dadu, as well as the Karachi Division.
In addition to Karachi, other districts such as Larkana, Qambar Shahdadkot, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Ghotki, and Sukkur are also expected to experience rain and thunderstorms with strong winds, though with intermittent breaks. The PMD cautioned residents about the possibility of lightning strikes in isolated areas during this period, advising farmers to take necessary precautions to protect their crops from potential damage caused by the adverse weather.
Looking ahead, the Meteorological Department has indicated that another wave of westerly winds is likely to affect Karachi and broader Sindh from March 24 to 27, potentially bringing additional rainfall. This forecast suggests that the city and surrounding regions should prepare for continued unsettled weather, which could exacerbate existing challenges related to drainage, infrastructure, and public safety.
As Karachi continues to recover from the recent storm’s devastation, authorities and emergency services remain on high alert to manage the ongoing risks posed by the persistent rain and strong winds. The situation highlights the urgent need for improved urban planning and disaster preparedness to mitigate the impact of such extreme weather events in the future.
