16 killed as rain wreaks havoc in Karachi

Rain has been continuing in spells in Karachi as the low-lying areas are inundated.

KARACHI (Dunya News) – Sixteen people have been killed in rain related incidents across Sindh as heavy rains have lashed the province mainly its capital Karachi.

Rain has Tuesday been continuing in spells in Karachi as the low-lying areas are inundated and people have been trapped on rooftops in Surjani Town after their homes were flooded with rainwater.

A boy was killed when roof of a house collapsed in Gulsah Muammar area of Karachi while five others were injured in the incident. In Ghotki a man was killed after thundering stroked him.

A huge sinkhole has opened up near Shahrah-e-Faisal which has affected the flow of the traffic. Maximum rainfall has been recorded in Surjani Town, and several parts of the metropolis are suffering power outages.

The administration has failed to drain out rain water from Surjani Town, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Gulistan-e-Johar, Shah Faisal Colony, University Road, Nazimabad and other areas as people continue to face trouble.

Electrocution

Loadshedding was conducted in Alnoor Society, Orangi Town and Landhi. At least 14 persons were electrocuted to death in Lyari, Baldia Town, Qayyumabad and Agra Taj Colony.

The educational institutions will remain closed across Sindh including Karachi on Tuesday, and Federal Urdu University and University of Karachi have postponed their examinations that were scheduled for today.

Army to the rescue

Karachi commissioner asked the Pakistan Army for help after flash flooding from Luth dam moved towards populated area. The army has reached the endangered part and started shifting the people to a safe place.

NEPRA notice

Following media reports, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has taken serious notice of the electrocution incidents and summoned report from the K-Electric.

It is disturbing to note that Karachi Electric (KE) complaint centers have not been responding to telephone calls of consumers.

The NEPRA has questioned the K-Electric over its failure to take precautionary measures as rain was expected. It has also directed KE to take immediate remedial measures for the restoration of power supply.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: The Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted rains/wind-thunderstorm at scattered places in Karachi, Shaheed Benazirabad, Thatta, Kalat, Makran divisions, while at isolated places in Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Zhob, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala divisions, Kashmir and Islamabad. Hot and humid weather is expected elsewhere in the country.

Wednesday: Mainly hot and humid weather is expected in most parts of the country. However, rains/wind-thunderstorm is expected at scattered places in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala divisions, Kashmir and Islamabad, while at isolated places in Malakand, Hazara, Mardan, Zhob divisions and Gilgit Baltistan.