Karachi was struck by a severe weather event on Wednesday night, as heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and powerful winds swept across the city, leading to tragic loss of life and widespread damage. The death toll from various rain-related incidents has risen to at least 19, with many casualties resulting from collapsing structures and falling debris. The most devastating incident occurred in Mawachh Goth, Baldia Town, where a building gave way under the pressure of the storm, trapping several people beneath the rubble.
Rescue teams have so far recovered the bodies of 13 individuals from the collapsed building in Mawachh Goth, and search operations are ongoing in hopes of finding more survivors. It is believed that many of those inside had sought refuge from the relentless downpour. A spokesperson for the rescue services revealed that a significant number of the victims were drug addicts, who had gathered inside the structure for shelter. The collapse has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the vulnerability of informal settlements during extreme weather events.
In response to the tragedy, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah promptly took notice of the situation and directed the district administration and emergency services to mobilize all available resources to accelerate rescue and relief efforts. Meanwhile, Sindh Home Minister Zia Lanjar and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab personally visited the site in Mawachh Goth to oversee the ongoing operations. Lanjar emphasized the urgency of deploying every possible measure to rescue survivors, while Mayor Wahab assured that injured individuals would receive immediate medical attention.
In a related development, other parts of Karachi also suffered casualties due to the storm’s impact. A wall collapse in Landhi’s Majeed Colony claimed the lives of two people, including a woman, and left three others injured. Additionally, a man was fatally struck by lightning near Yaru Goth in the Malir River area. The storm also caused the roof of a house to cave in Sector 3½ of Korangi, killing a woman, while another man lost his life after a tree fell on him in Korangi No 5. Rescue authorities reported at least seven more injuries across the city linked to the adverse weather conditions.
The rain was widespread, affecting numerous neighborhoods such as Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulzar-e-Hijri, North Karachi, Surjani Town, and North Nazimabad. Other areas including Saddar, Tower, Sharea Faisal, II Chundrigar Road, Federal B Area, Hassan Square, Manghopir, SITE area, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, Defence, and Clifton also experienced significant rainfall. The downpour extended to Karachi airport, Model Town, and various localities within Malir, disrupting daily life and transportation.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported that the storm was accompanied by strong winds, with speeds reaching up to 90 kilometers per hour on Sharea Faisal and 97 kilometers per hour in Mauripur. Korangi recorded the highest rainfall at 55.6 millimeters, followed by Mauripur with 22 millimeters and DHA Phase-II with 15 millimeters. Other areas saw lighter but still impactful rain, including Gulistan-e-Jauhar (13mm), Kemari (12mm), Airport Old Area (9mm), Sharea Faisal (9mm), Saddar Town (9mm), and Jinnah Terminal (8mm).
Mayor Murtaza Wahab urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel until the weather conditions improve, highlighting the dangers posed by fallen trees and debris. He specifically advised citizens to steer clear of Club Road in front of Karachi Gymkhana due to multiple trees uprooted by the fierce gusts. His timely warnings aimed to minimize further casualties and ensure public safety amid the ongoing storm.
Earlier on Wednesday, the PMD had forecasted rain and thunderstorms with strong winds, along with isolated hailstorms, across Karachi and other parts of Sindh. This weather system is attributed to a westerly wave moving into the western regions of Pakistan. The department warned that 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, would experience moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms.
Furthermore, rain and thunderstorms with strong winds were expected in northern Sindh districts such as Larkana, Qambar Shahdadkot, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Ghotki, and Sukkur, albeit with occasional breaks. The PMD also cautioned about the possibility of isolated lightning strikes during this period, advising farmers to take necessary precautions to protect their crops from potential damage caused by the unpredictable weather.
As Karachi continues to grapple with the aftermath of this intense storm, authorities remain vigilant and committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the city’s residents. The tragic incidents serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved infrastructure and disaster preparedness to mitigate the impact of such natural calamities in the future.
