Karachi hit by heavy rains, urban flooding and power outages

Torrential monsoon rains lashed Karachi on Tuesday, triggering urban flooding in several neighbourhoods, disrupting traffic, and causing widespread power outages.

Dark clouds covered the city by afternoon, followed by heavy showers with strong winds in areas including Surjani Town, Federal B Area, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Qayyumabad, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Malir, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Nazimabad, and New Karachi.

Rainwater accumulated on major roads and inner streets, with Gulshan-e-Hadeed experiencing severe flooding as water entered homes, forcing residents to move valuables to safer places.

Key intersections such as Hasan Square, Nipa Chowrangi, Jail Chowrangi, Liaquatabad, Korangi, Karsaz, and the Expressway also witnessed waterlogging, bringing traffic flow to a near standstill.

A health department employee was injured when a parking shed collapsed at the Sindh Secretariat during heavy rain in Karachi.

Police said the shed caved in after a tree fell, trapping several people who managed to escape. The injured, Muhammad Faizan, sustained a head injury and received treatment. No major losses were reported.

Traffic update

Traffic flow remained slow on several major roads across Karachi on Tuesday following heavy rainfall, police said.

Slow-moving traffic is reported at key arteries, including Shahrah-e-Faisal, M.A. Jinnah Road, University Road, Liaquat Road, and Capri Chowk.

DIG Pir Muhammad Shah said roads were partially blocked due to rain, but traffic was moving slowly. He added that mobile workshops had been deployed, while SPs, DSPs, SOs, SHOs and other officers were present on the roads to assist commuters.

According to Karachi Traffic Police, congestion was particularly heavy in South, East, Central, West, Malir and Korangi districts.

Officials cited urban flooding, stalled vehicles and ongoing development work as primary reasons for delays. At Jam Sadiq Bridge, traffic was diverted after a trailer and oil tanker broke down, while maintenance work on Shahrah-e-Faisal near Natha Khan Bridge also slowed movement towards the airport.

Authorities confirmed that over a dozen major roads faced severe congestion, including Korangi Industrial Area Road, Bahadurabad, Gurumandir, Teen Hatti, Lasbela Chowk, and Golimar. Rainwater accumulation inside the Nazimabad underpass and nullah overflow on Korangi roads further added to difficulties.

Traffic Police urged commuters to avoid unnecessary travel, drive slowly, and maintain distance due to slippery conditions. Rescue teams and officers remained deployed across the city to manage flow. The Traffic Police helpline 1915 was made available for route guidance.

Power supply disrupted

Karachi’s electricity system collapsed once again after heavy rainfall, with K-Electric’s claims of stability proving hollow as more than 609 feeders tripped.

The power utility’s distribution system remained unstable as outages made life difficult for citizens across several areas. According to reports, feeder breakdowns were recorded in Baldia (68), Bin Qasim (52), Defence (50), Gulshan-e-Iqbal (46), Gulistan-e-Jauhar (62), Korangi (59), Orangi (82), Society (68), Surjani (57), Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, and Othal, Balochistan (17).

Restoration work could not begin immediately as K-Electric’s technical teams were unable to secure ground clearance. In many areas, underground cable faults and waterlogged substations also disrupted supply.

Power outages were reported in FB Area, Liaquatabad, Shah Faisal, Gulbahar, Golimar, Khwaja Ajmer Nagri, Nusrat Bhutto Colony, PECHS, North Karachi, Yousuf Goth, New Karachi, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Bin Qasim, Surjani Town, North Nazimabad, Pils Colony, Orangi, Manghopir, Baldia, Metroville SITE, Landhi, Khokhrapar, Pak Colony, Moosa Colony, Gharibabad, Gadap, Kathore Goths, Yousuf Goth, Akhtar Colony, Manzoor Colony, Railway Colony, Qayyumabad, Bin Qasim, Othal, and Surjani.

K-Electric sources said electricity was deliberately cut in low-lying and kunda (illegal connection) areas as a precautionary measure.

CM Sindh

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed all concerned departments to remain on high alert during the ongoing monsoon rains.

The chief minister instructed rescue services and the administration to stay fully mobilised in view of heavy rainfall.

He ordered strict monitoring of drains and the drainage system to prevent urban flooding, and directed the Karachi mayor to ensure machinery and staff remain active for the immediate disposal of rainwater.

The chief minister advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy downpours. He also directed district administrations, police, and municipal bodies to maintain coordination.

Traffic police have been ordered to stay alert at low-lying and busy locations and to provide full guidance to the public during rainfall.

He further urged people to stay away from electricity poles and weak infrastructure, and instructed that monitoring systems be strengthened to keep citizens informed about weather conditions.