The ongoing rain since Sunday has created an emergency situation in Karachi, with at least four people losing their lives in rain-related incidents.
Two bodies were brought to the Jinnah Hospital. They were identified as Waqar, 26, from SITE area and Salamat, 53 from the limits of Baghdadi police station. Two bodies were also brought to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, including a teenager and an unidentified man. All the victims died of electrocution.
The meteorological department said that more rain is expected in the metropolis. For the province, it said up to 200 mm of rain was expected during the ongoing third spell.
Meteorological Department Director Zahiruddin Babar told Aaj News that the recent rains in Pakistan were 180% above the average.
Sindh received 390 per cent more rain, Balochistan more than 387 per cent followed by Punjab with 118 per cent more, he added.
He said that July and August were the peak monsoon season in the country.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), since the monsoon season began last month, dozens have been killed in rain-related incidents. Many of those were electrocuted or drowned after roofs and walls collapsed on them.
Earlier on Sunday keeping in view the ongoing torrential rains the Sindh government had announced a public holiday in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions.
Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab said in a tweet that Monday, July 25, would be a public holiday in Karachi and Hyderabad Divisions, after relentless rain continued on Sunday, causing urban flooding and suspension of power in many areas.
A holiday has also been announced in the federal government offices in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions, however, offices working in rain emergency including essential services will remain open.
Pakistan Army troops also reached the rain-affected areas in Karachi and are undertaking relief and rescue work activities along with the civil administration.
According to the Meteorological Department, the highest rainfall of 164 mm was recorded in Karachi’s Sadar area on Sunday, July 24.
Pakistan Air Force Base (PAF) Masroor received 142 mm of rain, while Kemari recorded 135 mm, Quaidabad 98, DHA 95 and Sarjani 92 mm.
According to the data released by the Meteorological Department, 88 mm of rain was recorded in Orangi and Gulshan Hadid, 75.4 mm in Nazimabad, 66 mm in North Karachi and 56 mm in Faisal Base.
Korangi recorded 50 mm, Saadi Town 44, and Jinnah Terminal 35 mm.
Badin recorded the highest rainfall of 219 mm in Sindh, while Balochistan’s Lasbela received 118 mm, Punjab (Bhakkar) 55 mm, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Buner) 129, Gilgit-Baltistan (Gopis and Hunza) 8 mm and Azad Kashmir (Bandi Abbaspur) recorded 5 mm of rain.
