Daily Times

Torrential rains on Monday wreaked havoc in the metropolis, bringing the much-feared load-shedding in multiple neighbourhoods despite claims from the sole power supplying company, the K-Electric, that it had made improvements in its system ahead of the forecasted thunderstorm.

At least six people, including a woman and children, died during the rains, rescue officials confirmed.

Two of those died as the roof of a house in Ibrahim Hyderi collapsed, while a three-year-old girl died when a wall collapsed in Malir’s Shamsi Society, they said, adding that a woman was electrocuted to death in Liaquatabad, while a child died of electrocution in Mominabad, Orangi Town.

Several others were injured as a pole-mounted transformer (PMT) fell in Ibrahim Hyderi, a spokesperson for the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) said. One person was injured as a tree fell in Korangi’s Sector 33-D, while a five-year-old was wounded when a wall collapsed in Malir’s Memon Goth.

The monsoon system was said to have been in Karachi’s southeast since the morning and had strengthened due to humidity from the sea, leading to the first rain in Pakistan’s financial capital.

Earlier in the day, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) director had noted that thunder cells were observed near Karachi and the rain spell was “strong”.

“Some areas in Karachi are experiencing rain with thunder,” he had said, adding that strong winds and dark clouds were set over Mai Kolachi and Malir and Shahrah-e-Faisal were experiencing heavy rain.

The PMD’s top official said wind speeds in the thunderstorm were recorded at 54 kilometres per hour.

According to data provided by the authority, the highest rainfall was recorded in Saddar, at 43 millimetres (mm), while 26 mm was registered at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Faisal Base, 22mm in Nazimabad, 12mm at PAF Masroor Base, 8.8mm at Karacih’s Jinnah International Airport, 3.1mm in Landhi, and 1.2mm in Surjani Town.

As the torrential rain accompanied by a thunderstorm started late afternoon in Karachi, two trees were reported to have been downed near Drigg Road on Shahrah-e-Faisal and the Arts Council of Pakistan, leading to traffic blockage.

Despite the PMD’s early forecast, there seemed to be no plan to manage the traffic disruption from related authorities. Limited visibility due to heavy rain disrupted traffic flow at Shahrah-e-Faisal, while rain water stagnated near Quaidabad Bridge.

A major traffic jam was seen at President House Road, I.I. Chundrigar Road, and near Governor House. People returning to their homes were stranded in traffic.

The metropolis’ sole power supplying company, the K-Electric, said Monday it already took significant steps to improve its distribution network ahead of the predicted torrential rains in the city.

In an update, a spokesperson for the K-Electric said protecting human lives was “a top priority” for the company. People should stay away from utility poles and broken wires in the rainy season, he advised.

Among the “commendable” steps it took to improve its system were geo-tagging of high- and low-tension (HT and LT) poles, earthing, and grounding.

Meanwhile, the Flood Forecasting Division of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Monday indicated chances of moderate flooding in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan Division during the next 24 hours. While, there were also chances of urban flooding in Sindh province during the next 48 hours. “We are expecting heavy downpour in Dera Ghazi Khan where the hill torrents can have higher levels of water. The urban sectors of Sindh may receive heavy rainfall during the next two days causing water inundation or flooding”, Spokesman of PMD, Dr. Zaheer Ahmed Babar informed while talking to APP on Monday.

He said there were no chances of any significant rain in the northern parts of the country during the next few days. Isolated rainfall is expected in different parts of Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Lahore with no chance of flooding.

The division in its report declared that all the major rivers were flowing in the state of their normal flows.

The meteorological features depict that low pressure area over South Gujarat (India) moved Northwards and lying over Kutch and Neighbourhood, becoming well marked. While trough of westerly wave over northern parts of the country has moved away Eastwards and weak seasonal low was lying over Northeast Balochistan. Moist currents of moderate intensity from Arabian sea were penetrating in Sindh up to 7000 feet.

According to the weather outlook for the next 24 hours, subdued rainfall activity over the upper parts of the country will continue. Scattered to widespread wind-thunderstorm/rain of moderate intensity with isolated heavy and one or two very heavy falls is expected over Sindh.

Scattered wind-thunderstorm/rain of moderate intensity is expected over East Balochistan and South Punjab. The river catchments rainfall recorded during the last 24 hours was Indus: Pattan 13 mm, Besham 09, Malam Jabba 05, Bagrote, Astore, Gilgit, Hyderabad, Buner and Saidu Sharif 03(each), Barkhan, Bunji, Kalam and Dadu 02(each), Gupis, Sukkur and Jacobabad 01(each), DG Khan (Airport), Shinkiari, Chilas, Skardu, Karachi (Airport), Rohri and Moin-jo-DaroTrace(each).

The rainfall recorded in Jhelum was Tandali 27, Garhi Dopatta 08, Muzaffarabad (Airport 06 and City=Trace), Chattar Kallas 01, Chenab: Gujranwala 03, Shadiwal 02 and Multan (Airport) 01. Ravi: Khaniwal Trace and Sutlej: Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur (City) Trace(each).

The rainfall recorded in Zhob was 11 mm, Sibbi 10 and traces in Lasbela.

According to the calculations of Monday morning, the current water level of Tarbela Dam was 1461.55 Feet and maximum conservation level was 1550.00 while the current water level of Mangla Dam was 1220.75 feet and the maximum conservation level was 1242.00 feet. news desk