Heavy rain lashed several parts of Karachi for the second consecutive day on Sunday.
Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, DHA, Clifton, II Chundrigar Road, Saddar, and Lyari were among the localities where moderate to heavy rainfall coupled with cold winds were reported.
According to the Karachi Traffic Police, rainwater had accumulated on University Road, Ziauddin Road, Haqqani Chowk, Denso Hall and Lighthouse.
It added that rainwater had also accumulated at Dow University, Tibet Chowk, Ankalsaria Chowk, Shershah Road, Guru Mandir, Jahangir Road, Ayesha Manzil, Five-Star Chowrangi, Hyderi, Shafiq Mor and Qayyumabad.
The cold weather, which had reduced to a great extent, made a sudden comeback in Karachi a day earlier when heavy showers soaked the metropolis. Subsequently, major arteries of the city were flooded.
In its forecast today, the Met Office said the current spell of rains was due to a westerly wave prevailing over Balochistan and Sindh.
It said rain and thunderstorms with light to moderate intensity were likely to occur in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Tharparkar and other areas of the province.
Speaking to Dawn.com, chief meteorologist Sardar Sarfraz said the current radar showed rain bands over the northern outskirts of the country. “This indicates intermittent rain/showers will continue till evening in Karachi,” he said.
Sarfraz added that scattered and light rain was predicted in other areas of the province as well.
According to data from the Met Office, Saadi Town received the highest amount of rainfall i.e. 17 millimeters on Sunday, followed by Nazimabad (12.8mm), Orangi Town (12.5mm), University Road (8.5mm), Surjani Town, (7.4mm), Gulshan-i-Hadeed (7mm), North Karachi (7mm), PAF Faisal Base (6mm), Jinnah Terminal (5.8mm) and Korangi (4.2mm).
Mayor inspects city, Sindh CM issues directives to authorities
Meanwhile, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab took to social media to say he was “out and about again” as the city witnessed rainfall.
“Issue of the drain coming from the side of tower and stock exchange is identified and attended to. Discharge into the creek was choked which has now been cleared,” he said.
Later, he appreciated the efforts of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation and the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board for their “tireless efforts over the last 20 hours”.
“Please keep up the hard work and don’t be bogged down by naysayers. I am proud of each and everyone of you. We stand committed to serving Karachi and our people,” he said.
Meanwhile, caretaker Sindh Chief Minister retired Justice Maqbool Baqar has issued directives to government officials in view of the heavy rainfall.
According to a statement issued today, CM Baqar held a telephonic conversation with Mayor Murtaza Wahab and instructed him to take measures for the drainage of water.
CM Baqar also directed the chief of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board to use water pumps and other machines for water drainage.
Meanwhile, the chief minister instructed the traffic police head to take necessary measures for the smooth flow of traffic.
“All the commissioner, deputy commissioner and district police officers should step out of their houses to help the nation,” he added.
