Lyari, Malir streams overflow as heavy monsoon rains wreak havoc in Karachi

KARACHI (Dunya News) - Heavy monsoon rains in Karachi on Tuesday caused the Lyari and Malir streams to swell, triggering urban flooding and inundating residential areas, Dunya News reported.

Rainwater entered residential neighbourhoods in Sarjani Town and Nagan Chowrangi. The Malir Stream overflowed at Ayub Goth Bridge and Lasi Goth, inundating nearby homes. Both the Lyari and Malir streams swelled dangerously after Thado Dam reached its capacity.

Floodwater entered surrounding communities, including Nishtar Basti and Essa Nagri. Water from Thado Dam reached the M-9 Motorway, affecting the track going to Hyderabad and severely disrupting traffic flow.

Rescue operations were carried out in Sohrab Goth, Hasan Manan Colony, and Gulshan-e-Iqbal, where several people trapped in floodwater were safely evacuated.

Meanwhile, all educational institutions in Karachi will remain closed today (Wednesday). The acting Commissioner of Karachi has issued an official notification in this regard.

WAHAB VISITS CITY

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited various parts of the city to review drainage and flood management efforts.

He said that a request for assistance from the Pakistan Army has been made through the chief secretary, and army personnel have also arrived at the scene.

The situation in the Lyari River has improved. Conditions are gradually getting better, and all possible measures are being taken to resolve the issues. So far, more than 200 people have been rescued, he added.

"In my lifetime, I have never seen this much water in the Lyari River," Wahab said.

The mayor justified closing of the motorway saying the step was taken to protect citizens' lives. "The water level is expected to recede further in the next few hours. We are trying to ease the difficulties of the people and will not leave them alone," he continued.

Meanwhile, Sindh PDMA Director General Salman Shah stated that due to the rains, the areas surrounding the Lyari and Malir rivers have been most affected.

RESCUE OPERATIONS BY ARMY, AGENCIES

On the other hand, in Karachi’s Saadi Town and surrounding areas, the rescue team, along with the Pakistan Army, successfully rescued 10 people.

According to the rescue spokesperson, reports were received that people were trapped due to water accumulation in Saadi Town and nearby areas. The rescue team, in coordination with the Pakistan Army, rescued a total of 11 individuals, including 2 men, 3 women, and 6 children.

Officials stated that citizens were rescued from a housing society near Saadi Town and relocated to a safe place. Personnel from the Pakistan Rangers also took part in rescue operations in the affected areas, including Malir, M-9, Sohrab Goth, Khameeso Goth, Lyari River, Malir River, and Machhar Colony.

Rangers, in coordination with the district administration and rescue agencies, participated actively in relief efforts.

MORE RAIN FORECAST

The Meteorological Department has forecast more heavy and intense rainfall for today. The system is expected to weaken into a low-pressure area within eight to nine hours and is likely to dissipate after reaching the coast of Balochistan on September 11.

According to the Meteorological Department, the rain-bearing system is currently impacting Sindh with the intensity of a depression. Rain-heavy clouds are present to the north of Karachi.