NDMA Warns of Heavy Rains, Flood Threats in Karachi, Hyderabad

News Desk 

Karachi: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has forecast heavy rains for Karachi and Hyderabad this week, warning of possible urban flooding and prolonged power outages in the country’s financial hub.

The alert follows torrential downpours earlier this week that submerged large parts of Karachi, stranding thousands of commuters on major roads and underpasses.

Viral videos on social media showed motorcycles wading through waist-high water and cars floating in flooded streets, fueling public outrage at the provincial government.

According to Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, the city received over 200 millimeters of rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday, leaving major neighborhoods inundated. At least 17 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents, Rescue 1122 confirmed. Many areas also endured power outages lasting more than 24 hours.

Wahab said drainage operations were underway and several key arteries had been cleared for traffic. “We are working round the clock to pump out water from low-lying areas,” he stated in a social media update.

NDMA issues fresh advisory

In its advisory on Thursday, the NDMA said a “strong” monsoon system would affect Sindh from August 24 to 28, with heavy downpours expected in Karachi and Hyderabad from Thursday night.

“Torrential rain may cause urban flooding and power outages,” the authority cautioned, urging citizens to avoid waterlogged roads, stay away from electric poles, and secure appliances during the rains. It further advised residents of low-lying areas to keep emergency kits with food, water, flashlights, and first-aid supplies.

Karachi’s flood-prone past

Home to over 20 million people, Karachi has long struggled with flooding due to its aging infrastructure. Even moderate rainfall often leaves parts of the city submerged, posing risks of electrocution, collapsing structures, and hours-long blackouts.

The metropolis has witnessed repeated monsoon disasters in recent decades. In 2009, the heaviest rains in 30 years killed at least 26 people, while downpours in 2017 left 23 dead. In 2019, rains claimed 11 lives, mostly due to electrocution.

Monsoon toll nationwide

The NDMA said Pakistan’s monsoon rains continue to wreak havoc across the country, with 458 deaths and 253 injuries reported since August 15 alone. Since the onset of the season on June 26, at least 771 people have been killed and 993 injured in rain-related incidents.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains the worst-hit province, with 465 fatalities, followed by Punjab (165 deaths), Gilgit-Baltistan (45), Sindh (42), Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (23 each), and Islamabad (8 deaths).

The Meteorological Department also warned that strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are likely to penetrate upper parts of the country from August 22, compounded by a westerly wave moving into the region the same night.

A climate-vulnerable nation

Pakistan, which contributes less than 1 percent to global greenhouse gas emissions, ranks among the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries. While the monsoon is critical for agriculture and water resources, its intensifying impact has triggered deadly floods and landslides in recent years.

In 2022, unprecedented monsoon rains and glacial melt devastated the country, leaving more than 1,700 dead and causing an estimated $30 billion in economic losses, according to government figures.

Input from Arab News.