The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Tuesday stated that 26 people have been killed in rain-related incidents across Sindh, from June 20 to July 10.However, independent sources claimed 30 casualties.
According to data released by the PDMA, in addition to 26 deaths, 11 have been injured within the same period. The highest number of deaths occurred in Karachi.
As monsoon rains ravage the province, the authority stated that 14 people were killed in rain-related accidents in the provincial capital, with six deaths reported in the city’s Eastern District and four in Korangi.
In addition, the report highlighted that four others were killed, each from Karachi’s Central District, South District, West District and Malir.
Furthermore, nine people died in the Thatta district, two in Khairpur and one in Sukkur.
The port city was inundated on Monday after it received record rainfall overnight, leaving routine life in Karachi paralysed.
The southern areas of Karachi, including DHA, Clifton, Kemari, Saddar and other localities reportedly received the highest amount of rainfall after a slow-moving thunderstorm stalled over the city during the early morning hours.
Most areas of DHA and Clifton were inundated, with water levels in some localities almost waist-high.Main I.I Chundrigar, DHA, Clifton Underpass, Delhi Colony road, Shara-e-Faisal and other major arteries of the city were also inundated. The city's traffic police said that underpasses at the Punjab Chowrangi, Abdullah Shah Ghazi Shrine and at KPT were closed for traffic due to water accumulation.
Highways leading out of the city were also inundated due to excessive rainfall. The Karachi-Hyderabad track of the highway was closed due to flooding.
At least 120mm of rainfall has been recorded in the District South, with areas near the coast reporting higher amounts of rainfall. Citizens of the port city also complained about prolonged power outages on social media.
The Pakistan Army and Rangers personnel were busy in relief efforts after the unprecedented rain spell. At least 388 de-watering pumps have been set up by the armed forces and the civil administration to clear the worst affected localities.
Gujjar, Orangi and Mehmoodabad nullahs are reportedly flowing at full capacity, making it necessary to de-water submerged areas with pumps.
City Administrator Murtaza Wahab said it rained up to 126mm in certain areas of Karachi in three hours. He added that the storm drains and nullahs are taking water "but the process is slow".
Wahab said the administration is trying its best to "address the situation" and pumping stations, installed at various spots, are working at full capacity.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed all relevant departments to expedite work and also issued orders to deploy suction pumps across the city to speed up the process of draining rainwater.
The chief minister said that authorities were facing challenges in draining flooded areas. The CM added that due to high tide at sea, the drainage of water is slow.
The provincial chief executive said teams and machinery has been deployed and ministers and other senior officials were on the roads to supervise the work.
Murad said the worst affected areas were in the district south, which includes DHA, Lyari, Saddar and other cantonment areas.
Karachi has seen an increase in the amount of rainfall it receives per annum over the last few years, with monsoonal anomalies getting more frequent due to climate change.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice-President Maryam Nawaz said on Monday that the entire nation is worried about the loss of life and property due to the monsoon rains in Karachi.
The federal government, she said, is committed to working with the provincial government and army personnel to transport the victims to safety on an emergency basis as soon as possible. “There is no shortage of relief activities.”
The PML-N stalwart also assured the people of the port city: “Karachi! We stand with you.”
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Sindh, saying the rulers of the province have failed to provide a drainage system to the port city Karachi despite being in power for the last 14 years.
While blaming the PPP-led government, PTI leader Ali Zaidi said that the provincial authorities have failed to clear the drains of the metropolis.
He also slammed the rulers, saying: “These people are only busy getting rid of their corruption cases..”Moreover, while condemning the Sindh provincial government, Jamaat -e-Islami (JI) Karachi chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that Karachi is currently in the worst shape due to poor government measures.
He also said that “these tyrants have drowned the metropolis”.