Heavy spell of rain wreaked havoc in Karachi causing urban flooding, power outages, and traffic jams while electrocuting an on-duty cop.

According to details, almost half of the Karachi’s roads and localities were flooded with sewage-mixed rainwater after heavy rain lashed the metropolitan followed by long power outages and traffic jams city disrupting people’s lives. The gushing winds of the thunderstorm uprooted trees and electricity poles alarming people, who rushed towards their homes only to be caught up on the major roads representing cesspool littered with vehicles that had broken down.

The heavy downpour under the influence of a monsoon low-pressure area (LPA) in the southeast of Karachi started in the afternoon following extremely hot and dry weather when the mercury soared to 42.6 degrees Celsius in Karachi, which is the highest recorded temperature in Karachi in the month of July since 1958, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said. 

Various parts of the city — including North Nazimabad, North Karachi, Orangi, Malir, Drigh Road, NIPA, Northern Bypass, and Gujjar Nala — were submerged because of the heavy rains, while some underpasses have turned into virtual swimming pools.

Many streets of the low-lying areas were flooded with pools of water as drains overflowed after rainfall.

The rainwater heavily flooded areas located on the M.A Jinnah Road, I.I Chundrigar Road, Aiwan-e-Saddar Road, adjoining streets and lanes. Trees and electricity poles were uprooted and flung on the road in front of Sindh Governor’s House blocking the traffic.

The major traffic jam was caused in Defence, Clifton, DHA, PECHS, Bahadurbaad, Saddar, Garden, Jahangir Road and many other city areas due to accumulation of water.

A policeman lost his life when he suffered an electric shock while performing duty in Ibrahim Hyderi.

A three-year-old girl died after the wall of her home collapsed in Malir\’s Shamsi society, a spokesperson for the Edhi Foundation said.

In Ibrahim Hyderi, two people lost their lives after the roof of their house collapsed. They were identified as Babar and Khalid. Another roof collapse claimed the life of a 70-year-old  woman in Liaquatabad, rescue officials confirmed.

Over 20 young men have so far been injured in motorcycle accidents because of the rain.

Meanwhile, two minors were killed and two others were injured after a wall collapsed at their home in Ibrahim Hyderi, the Edhi spokesperson said.

All four children were initially injured and taken to Indus Hospital for treatment, he said. where two of them died during treatment. The victims were nine and seven years of age.

The other two injured in the incident were currently receiving medical treatment, he said.

Meanwhile, half a dozen cars were destroyed and many others were badly damaged when part of the Bandookwala building on I.I Chundrigar Road collapsed raining debris on the cars parked below. Also, thousands of households were deprived of electricity following the first drop of rainfall leaving people in different localities without electricity till the filing of this report late at night.