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Karachi in for another spell of heavy showers after Eid deluge


Karachi is bracing for another spell of heavy monsoon showers and possible flooding after braving a deadly and destructive period of deluge during Eidul Azha, according to a Met Office forecast.


The Pakistan Meteorological Department said on Wednesday that "another strong monsoon low-pressure area" was likely to approach Sindh on Thursday (July 14) and persist till Monday (July 18).


"Under the influence of this weather system, widespread rain-thunderstorms with few heavy/very heavy falls are likely to occur in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Tando Mohammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Sanghar, Nawabshah, Naushero Feroz, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Qambar-Shahdadkot, Dadu, Jamshoro, Shikarpur, Ghotki and Kashmore districts between July 14 and July 18," the Met Office predicted.


Moreover, it said, parts of Thatta, Badin, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas and Tharparkar might witness rain/thunderstorm today (Wednesday).


Editorial: Repeat of Karachi's monsoon misery shows that authorities haven't learnt much from the past

The Met Office warned that heavy falls may cause flooding and water logging in Karachi's low-lying areas, as well as those of Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Dadu, Jamshoro, Nawabshah, Jacobabad, Larkana and Sukkur.


"Persistent heavy spell may trigger hill torrents/flash flooding along and downstream Kirthar range," it further cautioned.



According to the Met Office, sea conditions will also remain "rough to very rough" from July 15-17.

Therefore, it asked all relevant authorities to remain alert/ vigilant and take necessary measures in this regard.


Separately, Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman also shared a rain update on her Twitter, saying: "Sindh & Balochistan still under heavy monsoon pressure for the last 13 days. Sindh is 625 per cent above the 30-year average, Balochistan 501."


The minister added that the Met Office had now predicted a "further rise in heavy rainfall starting tomorrow. Again the weather cycle will focus on Sindh, Balochistan for hi[gh] precipitation".


Helplines


Meanwhile, the Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) has set up rain emergency camps to deal with rain-related situations.


The CBC has also setup a helpline, 1262, which citizens may call for assistance.


K-Electric, Karachi's sole power utility, can also be approached on helpline numbers 118 and (021) 99000 for assistance andcomplaints related to the suspension of electricity supply and other matters.


Death and paralysis

The measures come after relentless rains battered Karachi on Monday and Tuesday, claiming several lives, leaving the city's streets submerged in water, causing damage to its infrastructure, severely affecting mobility and nearly paralysing the city.


According to data compiled by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and Sindh police, 49 people have died in the province, including 31 in Karachi alone, in the weeklong monsoon spell from July 4 to July 12.


On Sunday, the Sindh government imposed a rain emergency in Karachi after several areas and main roads across the city remained submerged in rainwater.


Nullahs in Orangi Town and Korangi overflowed and entered houses. II Chundrigar Road, DHA, Sharae Faisal, University Road, NIPA Chowrangi, and Qayyumabad Chowrangi were among the roads flooded with waist-high water, leaving people and cars stranded for hours.


Earlier today, a statement issued by Karachi Commissioner Iqbal Memon said he had visited various areas of the city and directed relevant authorities to work on an "emergency basis" to clear roads of rainwater.


He directed them to "employ the entire machinery" for the purpose.


Separately, Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said in a statement that he, too, had visited different areas of the city and reviewed the work under way for restoring the infrastructure and draining water.


The minister assured that the Submarine Chowrangi underpass would be opened for traffic by tonight.


He said water pumps would also be provided to DHA and cantonment authorities to help with clearing areas under them of rainwater as well.


Power outages


Following heavy rainfall on Sunday night and Monday, there were also reports of power supply suspension, mainly from the city's South district.


Read: Karachi's crumbling infrastructure has made rain a bane for its residents


According to a Dawn report, the power breakdown also caused cellular service suspension in the south district in the early hours of Monday.


For its part, K-Electric cited flooding as the reason behind a delay in power supply restoration. By Tuesday evening, it claimed to have restored supply “to most parts of the city”.