KARACHI: At least six people lost their lives from electrocution and drowning as torrential rains battered Karachi, swelling the Malir and Lyari rivers and inundating low-lying areas.
Rescue 1122, Pakistan Army, and Rangers teams evacuated hundreds of residents from flood-hit localities. Rescue officials confirmed that three people died on Wednesday, bringing the death toll to six since Tuesday, while three remain missing.
Edhi rescue workers recovered the bodies of a man and a woman swept away in Gadap Town’s Konkar stream, identified as 60-year-old Nabu Gulab and 45-year-old Javed Shah. Meanwhile, the body of 18-year-old Ahmed Qadir, who was electrocuted in North Nazimabad, was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
Rescue 1122 reported that two men were swept away in Malir stream, of whom Mustafa Ali Gulab was rescued alive, while the search continues for the missing Faran Akram.
Heavy rainfall caused dams to overflow, flooding areas including Saadi Town, Scheme 33, Sohrab Goth, Khameso Goth, Machhar Colony, and Nishtar Basti. Thado Dam spillover swept away vehicles and disrupted traffic on the M-9 Motorway, while Korangi causeways were closed due to dangerously high water levels. Hub Dam’s water level also rose by two feet, leaving only four feet before maximum capacity.
Sindh Rangers and rescue workers carried out relief operations, rescuing families and moving them to safer areas. Authorities confirmed that schools across Karachi were closed on Wednesday as precautionary measures.
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Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, visiting several affected areas, described the flow in Malir stream as unprecedented. “This is a challenging day. The administration will remain on the ground,” he said, confirming army deployment for rescue efforts.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah directed continuous monitoring of Thado Dam’s spillways and ordered timely public warnings to avert further losses.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast more heavy rainfall for Karachi and surrounding areas, though the system is expected to weaken and dissipate over Balochistan’s coast by September 11.
