Cyclone Phet moves past Karachi

Heavy rains and winds lashed Karachi and other coastal areas of Sindh as Cyclone Phet hits Mirpur, Sakro and Bhanbor. The Cyclone Phet has moved past Karachi without hitting the coast and now passing along the coastal line of Thatta according to the Meteorological Department.At least nine people including two women died due to rain related incidents mostly due to electrocution.Heavy rains have also been reported across Hyderabad while at least three people lost their lives due to electrocution. Most of the roads were submerged in water during the rain while prolong hours of loadshedding was also reported.At least half of the population residing in Gawadar and other coastal areas have been effected due to heavy rains and flooding. Thousands of people have evacuated the area to avoid danger.Thousands of people have been left homeless as hundreds of homes swept in the rain. People have resorted to schools and hospitals. Gawadar coastal highway has also been damaged. People chanted slogans against the government. Pakistan Air Force plane came to the area carrying relief goods.Earlier during the day heavy rains and winds lashed city of Karachi. All the roads leading to the beach have been sealed by the authorities.According to DG Met department Qamar-uz-Zaman wind speed in the centre of cyclone is 50-60 kilometer /hour. He said the chances to hit the shores of Karachi are reduced and the cyclone is in category one. Rains have also been predicted in areas of Southern Punjab and Balochistan.Death toll in the city stands at 7, with dozens injured. In Karachi, hours of rain left roads under more than one foot (30 centimetres) of water. Electricity was cut in many districts in the mostly low-lying city of 18 million people.Many parts of Karachi and other towns along Pakistans coast are desperately poor. Roads, bridges, houses and drainage systems are already in bad condition, making them vulnerable to high winds, heavy rain and rough seas.