The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) provided a glimmer of hope on Friday, announcing that the intense rain system that battered Karachi for three consecutive days was expected to move out, with only light showers anticipated. This devastating spell of monsoon rain, which began on Tuesday, submerged major roads, crippled transportation, and led to the tragic deaths of 17 people due to drowning, electrocution, and building collapses. The PMD spokesperson also warned that another monsoon system is likely to enter Sindh, potentially affecting Karachi again from August 27th until the 30th.
The city’s infrastructure was pushed to its breaking point, revealing its profound vulnerability. Television footage showed cars floating down streets and houses filled with water. Critical underpasses at Sohrab Goth and Drigh Road were completely inundated, while major arteries like Jahangir Road and the route from Teen Hatti to Gurumandir were severely damaged and waterlogged, bringing traffic to a standstill. The rising levels in the Malir River also forced the closure of the Korangi causeways, further isolating parts of the city.
The chaos extended above ground, with the power grid suffering a massive collapse. Widespread electricity outages plagued the city, and efforts by K-Electric to restore power were severely hampered by flooded streets and traffic congestion. In Gulistan-e-Jauhar, frustrated residents staged protests against power cuts stretching past 56 hours, which also cut off water supplies. Similar prolonged blackouts were reported in Saddar, Jubilee Market, and several housing societies, deepening the misery of millions.
This event serves as a grim reminder of Pakistan’s acute vulnerability to climate change. For Karachi’s 20 million residents, the combination of extreme rainfall, chronic urban planning issues, and an fragile utility infrastructure has created a recurring crisis. The disruption forced numerous private schools to close or shift online, while the broader economic impact on Pakistan’s financial capital is yet to be fully calculated. The nation has witnessed increasingly extreme weather, with nearly 750 lives lost this monsoon season alone, echoing the catastrophic floods of 2022 that submerged a third of the country.
