Dark clouds covered the city by afternoon, followed by heavy showers with strong winds in areas including Surjani Town, Federal B Area, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Qayyumabad, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Malir, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Nazimabad, and New Karachi.
Rainwater quickly inundated major roads and residential streets, with severe flooding reported in Gulshan-e-Hadeed, where water entered homes and forced residents to shift valuables to higher ground.
Key intersections such as Hassan Square, Nipa Chowrangi, Jail Chowrangi, Liaquatabad, Korangi, Karsaz and Malir Expressway also witnessed heavy waterlogging, bringing traffic to a near standstill.
On the directives of Mayor Murtaza Wahab, a rain emergency has been enforced across Karachi, with all teams placed on high alert to respond to urban flooding, traffic disruptions, and other rain-related incidents.
Rescue officials said seven people lost their lives in rain-related accidents. According to Chhipa, a wall collapse near Aqsa Mosque in Orangi Town’s Sector 11.5 killed an eight-year-old boy identified as Abdullah, son of Abbas. His body was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
In Gulistan-e-Jauhar’s Block 12, four members of a family were killed and a child injured when a house wall gave way. The victims included Maryam, 4; Hamza, 3; and Samiya, 24, wife of Mubeen. Another man, around 28, also died, while a 10-year-old boy sustained injuries.
Municipal officials warned that further downpours could aggravate flooding in low-lying areas as the city struggled with drainage and power breakdowns.
According to data from the Meteorological Department, Gulshan-e-Hadeed received the heaviest rainfall at 145mm, followed by the old area of Karachi Airport with 138mm, Keamari 137mm, Jinnah Terminal 135mm, University Road 132mm, and DHA Phase VII 121mm. PAF Faisal Base (Shahrah-e-Faisal) recorded 114mm.
Other parts of the city also witnessed significant downpours, including Surjani Town (111mm) and North Karachi (108mm). Korangi saw nearly 97mm, while Nazimabad logged 92mm. Areas such as Orangi Town (66mm), Gulshan-e-Maymar (75mm), and PAF Masroor Base (75mm) also experienced heavy showers.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed all concerned departments to remain on high alert during the ongoing monsoon rains. He instructed rescue services and the administration to stay fully mobilised in view of heavy rainfall.
He ordered strict monitoring of drains and the drainage system to prevent urban flooding, and directed the Karachi mayor to ensure machinery and staff remain active for the immediate disposal of rainwater.
The CM advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy downpours. He also directed district administrations, police, and municipal bodies to maintain coordination. Traffic police have been ordered to stay alert at low-lying and busy locations and to provide full guidance to the public during rainfall.
He further urged people to stay away from electricity poles and weak infrastructure, and instructed that monitoring systems be strengthened to keep citizens informed about weather conditions.
Sindh’s Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon appealed to citizens to avoid unnecessary movement outdoors due to heavy monsoon rains across the city.
“The public’s lives and safety are the top priority. Citizens must not step out of their homes unnecessarily,” Memon said in a statement, adding that rainfall was still ongoing in parts of the city. “People should wait for the rain to stop,” he urged..com/f9nGoRVgkm
The minister said the Sindh government’s entire machinery was active in response to the downpour, with drainage work under way across major neighbourhoods. “The provincial government will never abandon the public and every possible facility is being provided,” he said.
Memon noted that under the leadership of Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, the district administration, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Water Board and rescue agencies were fully mobilised. “We are taking measures to drain water through machinery, remove blockages from storm drains and keep emergency routes open,” he added .Heavy downpours also paralysed traffic across city, leaving commuters stranded for hours as key roads were inundated with rainwater.
Traffic came to a standstill on major arteries including Shahrah-e-Faisal, University Road and II Chundrigar Road, while long tailbacks were reported at Nagan Chowrangi, Hub River Road and Miran Naka. Vehicles broke down on submerged roads, adding to the gridlock.
Police said traffic flow remained slow on M.A. Jinnah Road, Liaquat Road, Capri Chowk, Gurumandir and adjoining areas. Bilawal Chowrangi on Khayaban-e-Saadi also faced heavy congestion.Later, Shahrah-e-Faisal from Karsaz to Awami Markaz reported clear, though heavy rain continued in the area. Traffic was moving on the wrong side while many people remained stranded under the Baloch Colony flyover, with many motorcyclists caught in the downpour.
Several cars were abandoned under flyovers. Heavy pressure was observed on the Shahrah-e-Faisal track heading towards the airport as well. A traffic jam developed near the PSO pump opposite Nursery, while the ramp to the Shahrah-e-Quaideen flyover near CDC was blocked, leaving vehicles stalled.
DIG Pir Muhammad Shah said roads were partially blocked due to rain, but traffic was moving slowly. He added that mobile workshops had been deployed, while SPs, DSPs, SOs, SHOs and other officers were present on the roads to assist commuters.
Traffic Police urged commuters to avoid unnecessary travel, drive slowly, and maintain distance due to slippery conditions. Rescue teams and officers remained deployed across the city to manage flow. The Traffic Police helpline 1915 was made available for route guidance.