Rain in karachi
By Azeem Samar
Karachi
A maximum of 45-millimetre (mm) rain on Wednesday exposed the city’s fragile infrastructure, causing roads to submerge, choking the drainage system, disrupting electricity and communication system. Besides, at least three people died in rain-related incidents.
Since July 5, when lower Sindh areas came under pre-monsoonal spells, the city has received a maximum of over 50 mm rain.
On Wednesday, rain started around 3pm and continued intermittently till the evening.
An emergency-like situation emerged in a number of localities as there were reports of people drowning in overflowing stormwater drains in different parts of the city.
A number of arteries, including major thoroughfares like National Highway, Sharea Faisal, University Road and MA Jinnah Road, submerged in rainwater at various places.
Reports of serious inundation were also received from a number of low-lying areas of the city. Posh areas like Clifton and DHA were equally affected.
The drainage and sewerage systems, including stormwater drains, at a number of places could not withstand the onslaught of the heavy rain and overflowed with sewage and rainwater.
The janitorial staff of civic agencies, including the City District Government and cantonment boards, faced difficulties in clearing roads and major streets, which were left inaccessible by the accumulated rainwater.
Director-General of Pakistan Meteorological Department Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry told The News that the pre-monsoonal system would not intensify any more, but it would cause further rains in the city in the next 24 hours.
He said that the low-pressure over lower Sindh and Balochistan areas got intensified due to the continuous moisture feed from the Arabian Sea.
Chief Meteorologist in Karachi Mohammad Riaz said that the persisting pre-monsoonal system could cause another spell of moderate to heavy rainfalls in the city in the next 24 hours.
The breakdown of recorded rain at various observatories of the meteorological department is: PAF Base Faisal 45 mm, Karachi Airport 28 mm, Old area 31 mm, Landhi 37 mm, Gulshan-e-Hadeed 35 mm, PAF Base Masroor 26 mm and Jacob Lines 16 mm.
The Met recorded a minimum of 28.0 degrees Centigrade and a maximum of 38 degrees Centigrade temperature on Wednesday with 90 per cent humidity. The Met has also forecast a cloudy weather with chances of rain on Thursday (today) with temperature ranging between 34 degrees Centigrade to 36 degrees Centigrade, respectively.
With the pre-monsoon rains hitting the city, the transmission and distribution system of KESC failed miserably, with a number of localities being deprived of electricity for a prolonged period of time on Wednesday.
The KESC spokesman claimed that a total of 90 feeders tripped due to Wednesday’s rain and till 10 pm, power supply from less than a dozen feeders could not be restored.
Three die in rain-related incidents
By our correspondent
Karachi
At least three people, including a minor, died in rain-related incidents in different parts of the city on Wednesday.
Mohammed Nazeer died when his motorcycle skidded at ICI Bridge and his head struck at the footpath in the Jackson police limits. He was a resident of Shaujaat Colony, Baldia Town.
Meanwhile, an unknown nine-year-old boy drowned in a stormwater pond near Decent Apartments, Block-6, Gulistan-i-Jauhar.
Besides, three people drowned in storm water pond in Bilal Colony, Korangi Town area. Police said that they were taking bath in rainwater, when suddenly their foot slipped into the pond. Two of them were recovered by rescuers while the third was missing till the filing of this report. The deceased was identified as Irfan, 10, son of Rahim Zada, a resident of Korangi. (the news)