At least 19 people died and several others were injured in multiple incidents as rain and strong winds hit different parts of Karachi.

Rainfall with gusts was recorded in North Nazimabad, North Karachi, Surjani, FB Area, Saddar and Clifton. Similar conditions were reported in Cantt, Railway Colony, Delhi Colony, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulshan Jamal and Garden.

 

The Met Office said rain was also reported in Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Gulzar-i-Hijri, Tower, I.I. Chundrigar Road, Hassan Square, Manghopir, SITE, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad and Defence.

 

Power supply was suspended in several areas as the rain began, while outages were later reported in Moinabad Alamgir Society, Shadman Town 14-A, parts of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Defence Phases 1 and 2, Akhtar Colony, Kashmir Colony and parts of North Karachi. 

 

The city’s power system could not sustain the load, and several areas remained without electricity for hours.

 

“Our field teams remain on-ground, working round the clock to restore power in affected areas. Despite water-logging challenges, safety remains our top priority. We value your patience and understanding as we continue these efforts,” K-Electric stated on X.

 

The Meteorological Department reported that wind speed reached 90 kilometres per hour on Shahrah-e-Faisal and 97 kilometres per hour in Mauripur. It said Korangi recorded 55.6mm of rainfall, followed by 22mm in Mauripur and 15mm in DHA Phase-II.

Other areas including Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Keamari, Airport Old Area, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Saddar Town and Jinnah Terminal received lower amounts.

 

Trees fell in multiple locations, disrupting traffic. Near the Clifton driving licence branch, a tree collapsed, trapping two people. Reports quoted officials that Ishfaq, 32, and his mother were on a motorbike when they took shelter under a tree, which fell due to strong winds.

 

A Rescue 1122 team shifted Ishfaq to hospital while efforts continued to retrieve his mother. In Mohammad Ali Society, a billboard fell on Tipu Sultan Road.

 

In Baldia’s Mowach Goth, 13 people died after a wall collapsed, rescue officials confirmed. DIG-South Syed Asad Raza said that several people were sitting beside the wall of the Baldia Town Telephone Exchange within the limits of Saeedabad police station when it collapsed due to strong winds. 

 

A rescue spokesperson said that three people were injured and shifted to hospital along with the bodies, adding that search operations were ongoing. The bodies were moved to Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi.

 

SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police) Keamari said that the roof of the second floor collapsed onto the first floor, adding that the structure was not a residential building. He noted that police and rescue teams were present at the site and further people could be trapped under the debris.

 

The Sindh chief minister took notice of the incident and directed the district administration and rescue authorities to respond.

 

Sindh Interior Minister Zia ul Hassan Lanjar and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab visited the site and directed teams to retrieve those trapped and shift the injured for treatment.

 

In Quaidabad’s Majeed Colony, a man and a woman died after a wall collapsed, while one person was injured. In Landhi, a man and his wife were killed when the roof of their house caved in. They were identified as Sher Ali, 48, and Riasat, 45.

 

In Malir’s Yaroo Goth, one person died after being struck by lightning. In Korangi, a man died after a tree fell on him, while in Korangi 3½, a woman died after a roof collapsed.

 

Water accumulated in several areas after the rain, affecting traffic flow on major roads.

 

The Meteorological Department said that further rainfall is not expected during the night but may occur after noon. It added that rain with wind and thunder is likely in parts of the city, with a possibility of hail at isolated locations, while another weather system between March 24 and 27 could bring rain to Karachi and other areas of Sindh.