11 killed, 10 injured in rain-related incidents in Pakistan's Karachi

20/8/2025 18:12

At least 11 people were killed and 10 others injured in rain-related incidents in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi as record downpours turned neighborhoods into lakes, disrupted flights, and caused power shutdowns, local authorities said Wednesday.

According to the state-run Rescue 1122 department, victims died in electrocutions, drownings, and wall collapses across Karachi, the capital city of southern Sindh province, after heavy rain struck the city since Tuesday morning.

Among the dead were four members of a family in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area of Karachi after their house wall collapsed, while others lost their lives to rain-soaked power lines and floods in low-lying areas.

The provincial government of Sindh declared Wednesday a public holiday, shutting down schools and offices in an effort to keep citizens off inundated streets.

Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab announced a rain emergency, deploying rescue and sanitation teams, while Governor of Sindh Kamran Tessori opened the Governor's House to shelter stranded citizens.

Flights at Jinnah International Airport of Karachi were severely disrupted, with at least eight cancellations and 20 delays, as power outages at a high level and internet breakdowns crippled communication.

The provincial government announced that all concerned departments are engaged in rescue efforts, and it warned residents to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and keep away from electric poles.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast further heavy rains until Aug. 23 in Karachi.