KARACHI: Six people, including a child, were killed and several others were injured in rain-related incidents as heavy downpours lashed Karachi on April 2, police and rescue officials confirmed to The Express Tribune.
The casualties occurred in incidents of electrocution and wall collapse, reported from various localities during intermittent heavy showers that affected the city throughout the morning and afternoon.
In PIB Colony, near the post office and Quetta Hotel, a 30-year-old man, Abdul Wali, died after coming into contact with a live electric pole. His body was transported to Civil Hospital by a Chhipa ambulance. SHO Rana Ajmal confirmed that electrocution was the likely cause of death, adding that further investigation was underway.
In another incident on the Site Superhighway, a 35-year-old man, Shahabuddin, was electrocuted in Ahsanabad Sector 3. His body was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital by an Edhi ambulance. SHO Muhammad Nawaz stated that the deceased, who was experienced in electrical work, had been repairing a shop’s wiring when he received the shock and died instantly.
Chhipa spokesperson Chaudhry Shahid reported that in Surjani Town’s Hassan Brohi Goth, 23-year-old Sartaj died from an electric shock while working on wiring at his residence. His body was also transported to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
Shahid also confirmed that 12-year-old Dua Batool, daughter of Sarfraz, was electrocuted after coming into contact with exposed wires inside her home in Surjani Town’s Sector 7-A.
In a separate incident, a two-storey building wall collapsed onto a passing rickshaw near Bismillah Hotel and Anwar Bakery in Old Golimar, killing the driver on the spot. The victim, identified as 50-year-old Irshad Ali, son of Rafiq Ali, was a resident of the same area. Rescue 1122 teams responded to the scene and began clearing debris, according to Shahid.
He said that on MA Jinnah Road, a 30-year-old man, whose identity remained unknown, died due to an electric shock.
In Orangi Town, near Ijtima Gah Madina Hotel, the collapse of a house wall injured three children, who were immediately transferred to a hospital. The injured were identified as Rehman (7), Qasim (13), and Ameer Muawiya (14).
According to the Meteorological Department, the highest rainfall of 69.6mm was recorded in Nazimabad (Paposhnagar), followed by 56mm in Kemari and 43.5mm in Bahria Town.
Other parts of the city also received significant rainfall, with University Road recording 44.2mm, Saadi Town 48mm, Orangi Town 39.4mm, Gulshan-e-Maymar 36mm, and Surjani Town and Jinnah Terminal 35mm each.
According to Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi, emergency camps had been set up across all districts of Karachi Division in anticipation of the expected rains, with district administrations remaining on high alert to ensure a timely response and facilitate citizens.
“Local administrations are actively on the ground across all districts, responding to the rain emergency. Dewatering operations are also underway to clear inundated roads and ensure smooth traffic flow during the downpours,” he said.
Rain disrupts traffic, causing delays and congestion
Traffic remained severely affected after the rain, with long queues of vehicles reported on routes from National Stadium to Liaquatabad, Shahrahe-Faisal, Rashid Minhas Road, Shahrahe-Pakistan, Korangi Road and various roads in Saddar. People were stranded on roads as waterlogging disrupted traffic flow.
Karachi Traffic Police issued an advisory, warning citizens to avoid overspeeding and to stay away from electric wires and poles. Additionally, on the directives of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, traffic police had established diversion points across the city.
According to the plan, commuters travelling from FTC to the airport via Sindhi Muslim area were advised to turn left from Allah Wali Chowrangi towards Tariq Road, proceed via Ittehad signal and Char Minar Chowrangi, and take the Aga Khan Hospital route to reach their destination.
Similarly, those travelling via Shahrahe-Quaideen from FTC to the airport can turn right at Allah Wali Chowrangi towards Tariq Road, continue through Ittehad signal and Char Minar Chowrangi, and proceed via Aga Khan Hospital.
For commuters travelling from Baloch Colony to the airport via Karsaz, the route included turning right towards Stadium Road, Dalmia, Millennium, Johar Morr, Johar Chowrangi and Pehlwan Goth, before proceeding via ASF Headquarters. Those travelling from Drigh Road towards FTC were advised to use Stadium Road and Bahadurabad Char Minar.
From Hassan Square to the airport via Karsaz, commuters were directed to use Millennium Mall, while those heading towards FTC from Stadium Road should proceed via Stadium signal and Bahadurabad Char Minar Chowrangi.
Commuters travelling from Shaheede-Millat Road towards Shahrah-e-Faisal were advised to take the National Stadium Road via Char Minar Chowrangi, or use Tariq Road, Shahrahe-Quaideen and FTC before turning right onto Korangi Road to reach Mahmoodabad.
Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab directed municipal staff to remain on alert, with rapid response teams formed to address complaints and provide relief.
In a statement on X, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) announced that it is on high alert amid ongoing rains. Over the past two weeks, more than 50 choking points were cleared following directives from the mayor.
Teams were deployed at eight major drains and 12 key points, with mobile units actively patrolling the city. Staff were stationed at major road links, and relief camps had been set up at over 10 locations to ensure swift complaint handling.
Municipal, rescue, and disaster management teams were on the ground, fully prepared for any emergency. KMC officials were also visiting various parts of the city to monitor the situation closely.
More rains predicted
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), a westerly wave continued to affect the southern parts of the country.
It said that the new Western system was gradually entering the country through Balochistan, with rain accompanied by thunder and lightning expected in the city throughout the day.
“Similar weather conditions are expected on Friday in Karachi and parts of rural Sindh, with the system likely to persist until April 4,” said PMD.
The department said that under the influence of the new system, wind, thunderstorms and rain, with a few moderate to isolated heavy falls and occasional hailstorms, are likely today in Jamshoro, Dadu, Larkana, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Kambar Shahdadkot, Sukkur, Khairpur, Naushahro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Matiari, Thatta, Badin, Tharparkar, Umerkot districts and Karachi Division, with occasional gaps.
“Similar weather conditions are expected tomorrow in Larkana, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Kambar Shahdadkot, Sukkur, Khairpur and Naushahro Feroze districts, with wind, thunderstorms and rain, including moderate to isolated heavy falls and possible hailstorms at isolated places,” it added.
On the directives of Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) established rain emergency centres across Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad and Larkana from April 1 to 8.
Officials were directed to monitor dangerous and dilapidated buildings, while citizens were urged to vacate unsafe structures and avoid weak walls and under-construction sites.
Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 (Sindh) said teams were on high alert across the province, with all preventive measures completed in anticipation of heavy rainfall, as per directives of the Sindh Chief Minister’s Advisor on Rehabilitation, Gyan Chand Essrani, and the guidance of the Director-General of Rescue 1122 (Sindh), Brigadier (R) Wajid Sibghatullah Meher.
A statement from the authority said that teams were in constant contact with district administrations and were actively deployed in the field, ready to respond to any rain-related emergencies.
“In preparation for potential flooding and other incidents, Rescue 1122 teams are stationed across sensitive locations, including key areas like Nursery, Metropole, Three Talwars, Shahrah-e-Faisal, and others. Special attention is being given to areas prone to heavy rain and hailstorms, with teams on standby to carry out swift rescue operations,” it said.
Furthermore, citizens were advised to avoid coming close to electric poles, broken wires, and submerged electrical equipment during the rains.
“Motorists are urged to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel, and refrain from using waterlogged routes,” said the spokesperson for Rescue 1122 (Sindh).
Residents were also advised to ensure proper drainage from homes and avoid standing near weak structures or rooftops during the storms. In case of any emergency, the public was urged to immediately contact Rescue 1122 for assistance.
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that advance arrangements were made, staff leave was cancelled, and additional dewatering pumps were installed to ensure timely drainage in low-lying areas.
He said choking points across the city were already identified, with staff deployed and extra pumps installed for monitoring, while relevant provincial and municipal authorities were placed on high alert and directed to remain in the field.
Memon said that ensuring citizens’ safety was the government’s responsibility and advised the public to take precautionary measures and contact relevant institutions in case of emergency.
News Published in Express Tribune on April 2nd, 2026.
