At least 16 killed, several injured as heavy rain, winds batter Karachi

At least sixteen people were killed and several others injured as heavy rain and strong winds lashed parts of Karachi, officials said, with collapsing structures, uprooted trees, and power outages reported across the city.

Intermittent showers accompanied by gusty winds were reported in different parts of the city, with some areas experiencing moderate to heavy rainfall.

According to Rescue 1122, at least thirteen people were killed after walls and roof of a building collapsed in Baldia area.

Two people were killed in another roof collapse incident in Landhi area, Edhi officials reported.

Meanwhile, a person was killed after a tree fell on him, according to Edhi.

Rainfall in Karachi (in millimeter, as of 11pm)

• Airport old area: 9.0m
• Jinnah Terminal: 8.0mm
• Gulistan e Johar: 13.0mm
• Korangi: 55.6mm
• Shahrah e Faisal: 9.0mm
• Maripur: 22.0mm
• Kemari: 12.0mm
• Saddi Town: 9.0mm
• DHA phase 2 PDMA office: 15.0mm

On Tuesday, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast that rain and thunderstorm with strong winds and isolated hailstorm are likely to batter Karachi and other parts of Sindh on Wednesday and Thursday, with a westerly wave entering western parts of the country.

Under the influence of this weather system, the Met Office said, rain and thunderstorm with strong winds and isolated hail storm with few moderate to isolated heavy falls are likely in Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Mitiari, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allah Yar, Umerkot, Tharparker, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Nosheroferoz, Shaheed Benazirabad and Dadu districts and Karachi division.

Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert in view of the rains.

“Staff are prepared to deal with any emergency situation, and machinery has been deployed in different areas,” the mayor was quoted as saying in the statement.